This invention relates to a hand-held device for holding and carrying multiple bags, luggage, cases, tool boxes and other items.
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In everyday life, Individuals often find the need to hold, move and carry several items at a time. At a grocery, an individual may need to carry several bags of groceries in each hand. At an airport, an individual may need to hold and carry a hand bag and briefcase, along with one or more pieces of carry-on luggage. Many occupations require individuals to hold or move several items at a time. Musicians may need to carry several instrument cases. Construction workers and mechanics may need to carry multiple tool boxes from place to place.
The present invention provides a convenient hand-held toting device that allows an individual to comfortably and conveniently hold and carry multiple grocery bags, luggage, cases, tool boxes and other such items. The toting device includes a handle and a rotating support rack. The support rack has an inverted T-shaped configuration formed by a cylindrical central column and a pair of opposed boom arms. Each boom arm has a flat top surface, which slants downward toward a central column and terminates in an upturned end flange. The handle has a spur shaped body and a central neck. The handle and support rack are connected by a self tapping bolt, which extends through a bore in the central column and threads into the handle neck to allow the handle to rotated relative to the support rack. Multiple items can be suspended from each of the boom arms. The handle provides a comfortable grip to hold and carry the items and rotates so that the carried items orient to the natural ergonomic position of the individual's hand. The slanted top surface of the boom arms helps center the carried items and the end flange prevents the carried items from falling from the toting device.
Accordingly, the toting device of this invention greatly increases an individual carrying capacity and can be used to hold and carry any variety of items that have a handle or opening. The toting device can carry as many items as can be hung from the boom arms. The toting device allows an individual to hold and carry multiple items while reducing fatigue and discomfort and improving posture. The rotating support rack allows the carried items to orient and balance naturally with respect to the ergonomic position of the individual's hand. These and other advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of an embodiment of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The drawings illustrate an embodiment of the present invention, in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the hand-held toting device of this invention, showing the handle oriented perpendicular to the support rack;
FIG. 2 is a front view of the toting device of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a side view of the toting device of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the toting device of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a top view of the toting device of FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 is another perspective view of the toting device of FIG. 1 showing the handle oriented parallel to the support rack;
FIG. 7 is a front view of the toting device of FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 is a side view of the toting device of FIG. 6;
FIG. 9 is a top view of the toting device of FIG. 6;
FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the toting device of FIG. 6;
FIG. 11 is a side and partial sectional view of the toting device of FIG. 6 showing the self tapping bolt connecting the handle and support rack;
FIG. 12 is an exploded view of the toting device of FIG. 6;
FIG. 13 is a side and partial sectional view of another embodiment the toting device showing the snap fit connection between the handle and support rack;
FIG. 14 is an exploded view of the toting device of FIG. 13;
FIGS. 15 and 16 are partial perspective views of the toting device of FIG. 1 used to carry two grocery bags; and
FIG. 17 is a perspective view of an individual using the toting device of FIG. 1 to carry two guitar cases.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
FIGS. 1-12 illustrate an embodiment of the hand-held toting device of this invention, which is designated generally as reference numeral 10. As shown, toting device 10 includes a handle 20 and a rotating item support rack 30. Toting device 10 is ideally formed from reinforced plastics, but may be cast or made of metal or other suitable light weight materials. As shown, support rack 30 has an inverted T-shaped configuration formed by a cylindrical central column 32 and a pair of opposed boom arms 34. Boom arms 34 extend radially from the central column 32. Each boom arm 34 has flat top surface 35, which slants downward toward central column 32 approximately 3-10°. Each boom arm 34 also terminates in an upturned end flange 36. A reinforcing rib 37 extends longitudinal across the length of both boom arms 34. Handle 20 has an spur shaped body 22 and a central neck 24, which extends perpendicularly from the handle body. The top of the handle body 22 is contoured to accommodate the grip of a human hand. Handle neck 24 and support column 32 are mated together in axial alignment and secured for rotational movement about their central axis by self tapping screw or bolt 38, although other fastening and connection means, which allow support rack 20 to rotate freely in relation to handle 20, can be used.
FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate an alternative embodiment of toting device, which is designated 40. Toting device 40 is identical in form and function to device 10 of FIGS. 1-12, but incorporates a snap fit connection between the rack support 50 and handle 60. Rack support 50 includes a head part 52, which seats atop a flat shoulder 62 formed in central bore 61 in handle 60. As shown, head 52 has a notch 53 that allows the side of the head to be compressed slightly for insertion into bore 61. The use of this snap fit connection allows support rack to rotate relative to handle 60 without any additional components or fasteners.
As shown in FIGS. 15-17, toting device 10 allows a user to hold and carry multiple items. FIGS. 15 and 16 illustrate an individual using toting device 10 to carry two typical grocery bags 2. As shown, the string handles 3 of the grocery bags 2 are suspended over boom arms 34 of toting device 10. The slanted top surface 35 of boom arms 34 helps center bags 2 and prevents them from sliding along the length of the boom arm. End flange 36 prevents bags 2 from inadvertently slipping off the boom arms. FIGS. 13 and 14 also illustrate how the rotational connection of handle 20 and support rack 30 allows bags 2 to orient to the natural ergonomic position of the individual's hand. As shown, support rack 30 is oriented parallel to handle 20 in FIG. 15 and perpendicular to the handle in FIG. 16. The rotational connection between handle 20 and support rack 30 allows the individual to carry multiple items without twisting and holding the items in an uncomfortable or unnatural position, thereby reducing fatigue and strain on the hands, arms and shoulders. FIG. 17 illustrates an individual using toting device 10 to support and carry two guitar cases 4. As shown, the handles of the guitar cases are supported atop each of the boom arms. Again, the rotational connection between handle 20 and support rack 30 allows cases 4 to orient naturally to the position of the individual's hand. Similarly, One skilled in the art will note that the toting device of this invention can be used to hold and carry any variety of items, as long as the item has a handle or opening, which allows it to be hung from the support rack. The toting device is dimensioned to allow several items, depending on size and weight, to be hung from each boom arm. The strong plastic construction of the toting device makes it light weight and durable. Because the boom arms of the support rack have an integral support rib, the toting device can carry as many items as can be hung from the boom arms or as many as the individual can practically lift. The toting device reduces fatigue and discomfort with improved posture, while increasing the individual to carrying capacity. The rotating connection between the support rack and handle allows the carried items to orient and balance naturally with respect to the ergonomic position of the individual's hand.
The embodiment of the present invention herein described and illustrated is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. It is presented to explain the invention so that others skilled in the art might utilize its teachings. The embodiment of the present invention may be modified within the scope of the following claims.
Patent Application
20090206621
