Handle structure for suitcase or the like

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6658698
  • Patent Number
    6,658,698
  • Date Filed
    Monday, September 24, 2001
    23 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, December 9, 2003
    21 years ago
  • Inventors
  • Examiners
    • Estremsky; Gary
    • Williams; Mark
    Agents
    • Baxley; Charles E.
Abstract
A handle structure includes a body extends through a passage defined in a base of an outer casing. The base has a recess defined in an outer periphery thereof and the passage communicates with the recess. A cap is engaged with the recess by engaging lugs on the cap with the notches in the base.
Description




FIELD OF THE INVENTION




The present invention relates to a handle structure for a suitcase or the like and the handle has a soft casing with an identification member on a top of the casing.




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




A conventional handle for a suitcase or the like generally includes a solid portion with a leather outer sleeve. The conventional handle has only few shape so that the handles of everybody's suitcase are similar. However, the market requires more characterized handles that represent an unique value or taste of the users. Another disadvantage is that because the handles are all similar, so that it is difficult for the users to identify their suitcases among the travelers' luggage.




SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a handle structure which comprises a body received in an outer casing which includes a base and a cap. The base has a recess defined in an outer periphery thereof and a passage is defined through the base. The passage communicates with the recess and the body is received in the passage. The cap is engaged with the recess. A plurality of first engaging devices are located in an inner periphery of the recess of the base and a plurality of second engaging devices are located on the cap and engaged with the first engaging devices.




The primary object of the present invention is to provide a handle structure that provides a removable cap on the base of the handle so as to provide an identification function.




The present invention will become more obvious from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which show, for purposes of illustration only, two preferred embodiments in accordance with the present invention.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS





FIG. 1

is an exploded view to show the handle structure of the present invention;





FIG. 2

is a cross sectional view to show the handle structure of the present invention;





FIG. 3

is an end cross sectional view to show the engagement of the handle structure of the present invention;





FIG. 4

is a cross sectional view to show another embodiment of the handle structure of the present invention, and





FIG. 5

is an end cross sectional view to show the engagement of the handle structure of the present invention as shown in FIG.


4


.











DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS




Referring to

FIGS. 1

to


3


, the handle structure of the present invention comprises a solid body


1


which is received in an outer casing


2


which is composed of a base


20


and a cap


21


. The base


20


has a recess


200


defined in an outer periphery thereof and a passage


203


defined through the base


20


. The passage


203


communicates with the recess


200


. A sleeve


3


is mounted on the body


1


and the body


1


is received in the passage


203


. The two ends of the sleeve


3


are fixed on a suitcase


6


by using rivets


5


and fixing plates


4


on the suitcase


6


. A plurality of first engaging devices


201


such as notches are defined in an inner periphery of the recess


200


of the base


20


and a plurality of second engaging devices


210


such as lugs are located on the cap


21


. The lugs are engaged with the notches to position the cap


21


. A plurality of grooves and ribs


205


are defined in the outer periphery of the base


20


and face the suitcase


6


so that the user's hand may hold the handle comfortably.





FIGS. 4 and 5

show another embodiment of the handle structure wherein an engaging recess


211


is defined in the cap


21


and an identification member


22


engaged with the engaging recess


211


. The engaging recess


211


has notches


212


defined in two sides of the inside thereof and the identification member


22


has protrusions


220


extending therefrom, the protrusions


220


are engaged with the notches


212


. The identification member


22


has an unique color or shape so that the user can see his/her suitcase among others' luggage.




While we have shown and described the embodiment in accordance with the present invention, it should be clear to those skilled in the art that further embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.



Claims
  • 1. A handle structure comprising:a tubular body received in an outer casing, said outer casing having a base and a cap, said base having a recess defined in an outer periphery thereof and a passage defined through said base, said passage communicating with said recess and said body received in said passage, a sleeve mounted on said body and two ends of said sleeve adapted to be fixed on a suitcase, said cap engaged with said recess and having an engaging recess defined therein, an identification member engaged with said engaging recess, a plurality of first engaging devices located in an inner periphery of said recess of said base, a plurality of second engaging devices located on said cap and engaged with said first engaging devices.
  • 2. The handle structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first engaging devices are notches and said second engaging devices are lugs.
  • 3. The handle structure as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a plurality of grooves defined in said outer periphery of said base.
US Referenced Citations (13)
Number Name Date Kind
2146415 Bradley Feb 1939 A
2483307 Wheary, Jr. Sep 1949 A
2654115 Kafer Oct 1953 A
2913080 Louik et al. Nov 1959 A
3023868 Koffler Mar 1962 A
3500973 Bush Mar 1970 A
3656594 Marks et al. Apr 1972 A
3692155 Laurita Sep 1972 A
3793674 Kneier Feb 1974 A
4120073 Studebaker Oct 1978 A
4364150 Remington Dec 1982 A
5771536 Sieg et al. Jun 1998 A
6167592 Tsai Jan 2001 B1