Patent Application
20050046210
This invention relates to openable handles, and more particularly to handles having an openable, biased, self-closing link at one end.
Small transportable objects, including hand-held beverage containers and the like, have come into widespread use. Often, such a container even with a handle is not conveniently transported. Typically, such a container is relatively bulky and is not well suited for transporting or storing in a user's pocket, briefcase, purse or backpack, and so must be carried and moved while held by one hand of the user.
It would be desirable for a beverage container or other small, transportable object to have an associated handle with an openable, but normally closed, end region so that the container can be connected to, for example, a strap, handle, ring or the like of a user's other carried equipment, and thereby transported. Then, both hands of the user would be free for other operations.
Although various openable handle structures have previously been proposed, such as, for example, the structures disclosed in Weiss et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,270,909 and Sarver U.S. Pat. No. 5,433,339, the prior art openable handle structures typically include components and features that are cumbersome, difficult to use or even unsafe. More than one hand may be needed for their utilization, such as in one or more of the operations of grasping, opening, support association or carrying. Even holding and transporting the object by hand can be difficult because the prior art openable handle structure may interfere, or be perceived by a user to interfere, with normal manual grasping and carrying of the handle structure. For example, sometimes, the structure of the openable prior art handle structure can interfere with its ability to connect with and to safely engage some accessible and handle-supporting component of the user's transported equipment, and, after connection, to stay connected as a user moves.
The openable handle structure of Weiss et al. '909 and of Sarver '339 are similar to each other in that both handle structures require a pair of curved legs. Each leg is fixed at one end to a container or other portable object while the respective opposite end of each leg extends in spaced relationship relative to the other. These leg ends are interconnected together across a mid-region therebetween by an intervening, separate connecting arm. One end of this arm pivotably associates with the open end of one leg and the opposite arm end loosely slidably engages with the open end of the other leg. Experience indicates that this type of handle structure is perceived by a user as uncomfortable, and even difficult, to grasp and carry. Also, the requirement for this type of handle structure to have not only two separate legs that each outwardly extend from association with a container or other object, but also an interconnected, intervening, mid-region arm, can result in a difficulty, or even an inability, to hook the handle structure safely and effectively to or over a connecting support member, such as can exist with equipment being transported by a user.
For example, sometimes it is not convenient to advance the open mid-region gap of the handle structure over a connecting support member, sometimes the resulting hooked association is such that the releasable arm of the handle structure bears part of the handle's associated container (or other object) weight, and sometimes the rocking or twisting action exerted on the hooked and mounted handle structure as the user moves, places stress forces on the releasable arm so that the releasable arm can open and release the handle structure from its support. As a result, the prior art handle structure can appear to a user to be unsafe or unreliable. The uses, applications and marketability of this type of prior art handle structure, particularly when associated with a beverage container, are thus limited.
Accordingly, the present invention aims to overcome the prior art openable handle problems and to provide an improved openable handle structure that is easy and convenient to associate with an object or to grasp with a hand, provides an improved ability to hook over and disengageably connect to a support member, and achieves a secure association with such a support member.
More particularly, this invention relates to an end-openable handle structure for association with an object, preferably a relatively small, transportable object, such as, for example, a beverage container, and for connection, if desired, to a support member for transporting in a hands-free manner.
The handle structure includes an elongated, hand graspable arm that is supported at a proximal end portion thereof by the joined first end portion of a leg. The opposite or second end portion of the leg is connectable to the object.
The handle structure further includes a pivotable bridging link for extending between the distal end portion of the arm and a spaced, adjacent portion of the object to which the handle structure may be connected. The bridging link has opposing forward and rearward portions. The rearward portion is pivotally mounted to one of either the distal end of the arm or the adjacent portion of the connected object. The forward portion is locatable at a link closed or first position that is in adjacent abutting relationship relative to the other one of either the object or the distal end. Thus, the bridging link forward portion is reversibly pivotable relative to its rearward portion for translation from the first position to a second position that is in spaced relationship relative to the first position. Thereby, in the second position, a gap is defined between the distal end portion of the arm and the bridging link through which, for example, an associatable and connectable support member for the handle structure may be extended.
The first end portion of the leg can be considered to include joining means for connecting the arm proximal end portion to the first end portion so that preferably a fixed, angular relationship is provided between the arm and the leg.
The second end portion of the leg can be considered to include connecting means for connecting the second end portion to the object so that a fixed angular relationship can exist between the leg and the object.
The joining means and the connecting means are preferably such that the elongated arm can be hand grasped and moved (translated) without disrupting or breaking either the joined or the connected relationships achieved by the joining means and the connecting means, respectively.
The rearward portion of the bridging link can be considered to include pivotal mounting means that pivotally mounts the rearward portion as above indicated so that the forward portion of the bridging link is thus pivotable, as indicated above. The interrelationship between the pivotal mounting means and the distal end portion of the arm is such that the bridging link is pivotable and spatially movable inwards relative to the arm and leg subassembly when the end region of the handle structure is to be opened.
A stop means is provided that is preferably cooperatively associated with the first or link closed position. The stop means limits pivoting travel of the bridging link forward portion so that, when in the first position, further pivoting of the bridging link cannot normally occur in a direction that is outwards relative to the arm and leg subassembly. Thus, the bridging link can be pivoted inwardly relative to the arm and leg subassembly when, for example, a hookably-associatable support member is applied thereto, so that the hookably engageable member is inerrable between the arm distal end portion and the object, yet, when the bridging link is thereafter positioned in the first or link closed position, the bridging link blocks disengagement of the hookably engageable member from connected relationship with the handle and the object.
Preferably, spring biasing means is cooperatively associated with the bridging link, preferably in the vicinity of the pivotable mounting means, so that the bridging link forward portion is yieldingly urged into the indicated desired contacting relationship in the first or link closed position, whereby the bridging link is yieldingly biased into a self-closing orientation relative to, and between, the distal end portion of the arm and an associated object.
While the inventive handle structure is presently most preferably associated with an object that is relatively small lidded container, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many other objects can alternatively be associated with the handle structure.
Other and further objects, aims, features, purposes, advantages, embodiments, variations and the like will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the teachings of the present specification taken with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.
In the drawings:
Referring to
Exterior inside (relative to the arm 31 and adjacent leg 35) surface portions of the arm 31 preferably define transversely extending ridges or corrugations 34 arranged in longitudinally adjacent relationship to one another so as to provide intervening depressions that are adapted for contact with portions of a user's fingers. Preferably the exterior configurations of the arm 31 and of the leg 35 are such as to adapt each for cooperative grasping of the arm 31 by the fingers and palm of a user's hand with a side portion of the user's forefinger optionally resting against a portion of the leg 35 and/or with a forward portion of the user's thumb optionally resting upon an opposed portion of the leg 35. Various configurations for the arm 31 and the leg 35 can be employed as those skilled in the art will readily appreciate.
In the handle structure 30, the leg 35 and the arm 31 are unitarily formed of molded plastic, or here preferably and illustratively, a weldable metal. The second end portion 37 of the leg 35 is terminally transversely concavely and enlarged transversely and longitudinally so as to adapt the second end portion 37 for matingly fitting against a selected outside, upper, circumferentially extending, but longitudinally elongated, side wall surface portions of a container 43 that is fitted with a lid 42 that is adapted to close and cover the container mouth at the container 43 upper end. The container 43 here illustratively has steel (preferably stainless) exterior surface portions. The second end portion 37 is illustratively mounted to the indicated side wall surface portions adjacent to the container mouth by side weldments 38 (see
A component attachment site is preferably provided at a local location on the side wall of the container 43. Here, somewhat below the distal end portion 33 of the arm 31, a pivot leaf 45 is abutted against the container 43 sidewall and is welded thereto by further side weldments 38, or the like. The pivot leaf 45 preferably has circumferentially spaced, parallel, opposed side wall portions.
The handle structure 30 is provided with a bridging link 39 that has opposing forward 40 and rearward 41 portions. The bridging link 39 is conveniently formed of molded metal (preferred) or plastic, and it can be overcoated with a protective or distinctively colored identification layer, if desired. The rearward portion 41 is pivotally mounted to the pivot leaf 45. The forward portion 40 is located in adjoining or abutting relationship to a portion of the distal end 33 of arm 31 to define a first or bridging link 39 closed position such as illustrated in
To pivotally mount the rearward portion 41 to the pivot leaf 45, the rearward portion 41 is provided a pair of ears 46 that preferably are integrally formed with, that extend preferably rearwardly therefrom the bridging link 39, and that preferably and as shown are in spaced, parallel relationship relative to each other. Each of the ears 46 is adapted to be received over and adjacent to a different one of the opposed side wall portions of the pivot leaf 45. Through aligned, transversely extending channels defined in the ears 46 and the pivot leaf 45, a pintle pin 48 is extended. Thereby, the forward portion 40 is adapted to pivot relative to the rearward portion 41, the pivot pin 48 and the pivot leaf 45, and thus the forward portion 40 is reversibly pivotable relative to the rearward portion 41 and so is movable from the indicated first position to a second position that is in spaced relationship relative to the first position whereby a gap is defined between the distal end portion 33 and the bridging link 39. Various pivotal mounting arrangements can be employed, as those skilled in the art will appreciate.
The interrelationship between the pivotal mounting assembly comprised of the ears 37, the pivot leaf 45 and the pintle pin 48 at the rearward portion 41 of the bridging link 39 and the distal end 33 is such that the bridging link 39 is spatially movable inwards relative to the arm 31 and leg 35 subassembly when the lower end region or distal end 33 of the handle structure 30 is to be opened from the indicated first position by pivoting of the bridging link 39. Thus, the forward portion 40 is reversibly pivotable relative to the rearward portion 41 from said first position to a second position that is in spaced relationship relative to said first position, the pivotal movement being generally inward relative to the arm 31 and generally towards the leg 35, thereby defining at said second position a gap between said distal end portion 33 and the bridging link 39. While various directions (or planes) of pivotal movement can be defined by the bridging link 39 relative to the pivot leaf 45, it is presently most preferred to have the pivot axis as set by the location of the pintle pin 48 be substantially perpendicular to the (hypothetical) center plain defined by the mid-line or center line of the arm 31.
To limit pivoting travel of the bridging link 39 relative to distal end 33 outwardly beyond the distal end 33, a stop means is provided so that outward travel of the forward portion 40 cannot normally occur in a direction that is outwards relative to the arm 31 and leg 35 subassembly and distal end 33. In the handle structure 30, the stop means is achieved by the angle and shape of the respective adjoining faces of the forward portion 40 and the distal end portion 33. Thus, when the bridging link 39 is in its first or link closed position, as indicated above, these respective faces are preferably and as shown in an abutting, face-to-face engagement that effectively terminates pivotal movement of the forward portion 40 relative to the distal end portion 33. The combination of the stop means and the pivotal movement of the bridging link 39 thus provided in effect preferably achieves, as desired, a type of lock that prevents a support member for the handle structure 30 (not illustrated) that is positioned between the arm 31 and the object (here container 43) and that is thus engaged with the handle structure 30 from becoming disengaged therefrom through outward pivoting of the forward portion 40 beyond the distal end 33, as those skilled in the art will appreciate.
A spring biasing means is preferably provided that is cooperatively associated with the bridging link 39 and that yieldingly urges the bridging link 39 into the indicated first or link closed position. Here, a coiled spring 49 (not detailed in
The handle structure 30 or other handle structure of the invention can be mounted to various containers, as will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art. The term “container” can be regarded herein as being used in a generic sense to include various types of vessels with various types of names, including, for example, mugs, thermos-type bottles and other types of bottles, flasks, jars, cups, holders, presses (including coffee presses), molds, and the like. Alternatively, various objects can be associated with the handle structure 30 or other handle structures of the invention, including for example, a flashlight, a coil spring or other component of a machine, an air tank, a suitcase, an umbrella, a ladder, a shovel or other hand tool, mountain climbing equipment, or the like. Various categories of users can find a handle structure of the invention, such as the handle structure 30, useful with various objects including, for example, commuters, travelers such as hikers, vehicle drivers, vehicle passengers, pilots, equipment operators, office workers, students, teachers, research, development, and testing persons, bird watchers, hunters, sports participants and sports enthusiasts, soldiers, sailors, security personnel, police officers, fire fighters, laborers, rescue workers, forestry workers, farmers, assembly workers, mechanics, machinists, and the like. Indeed, the category of associatable objects, especially transportable objects, with handle structures of the invention is very large, even not practically limited.
As those skilled in the art will readily appreciate, many different types of mounting means can be used to associate or connect the second end portion 37 with an object. For present illustration purposes, a few particular suitable mounting means are shown, but those skilled in the art will appreciate that many different and other mounting means can be utilized, if and as desired. The joining means associated with and connecting the first end portion 36 and the proximal end portion 32, as those skilled in the art will readily appreciate, can be variously comprised. A handle structure of the invention can be variously comprised and constructed.
A now more preferred embodiment 51 of a handle structure of the invention is shown, for example, in
In the handle structure 51, the arm 31′ and leg 35′ have a common core 59 (see, for example,
Alternatively, in another handle structure embodiment 65 such as shown, for example,
Over surface portions of the core 59 or the core 59A, a plastic overlayer 61 is molded, thereby to form unitarily the arm 31′ and the leg 35′. Various overlayer plastics can be employed, but those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that a preferred overlayer plastic is one of the well-known type which has easily gripped surface characteristics that are tactilely comfortable when contacted by, and thereby sensed through, a user's hand.
Alternatively, if desired, a unitary structure of leg 35 and arm 31, as in handle structure 30, can be formed by molding of metal or plastic, or by welding or adhesively bonding together the first end portion 36 of a preformed leg 35 with the proximal end portion 32 of a preformed arm 31 members, or otherwise, if desired. Also, if desired, mechanical means (particularly, for example, rivets, screws, or the like) can interconnect overlapping or abutting edge portions of respective preformed legs 35 and arm 31, or the like, and, if desired, the mechanical means can be adjustable, so as to alter, if desired, the angle between the leg 35 and the arm 31.
In the handle structure 51, the hollow common core 59 of the arm 31′ and the leg 35′ at the second end portion 37′ terminates in a pair of downturned (relative to the distal end 33′ of arm 31′) flanges 63 and 64 that are located in a nested radially respective outward and inward relationship relative to each other and relative to an associated lip 68 of the mouth 69 of the container 74 (see
Preferably in the handle structure 51, the plastic overlayer 61 at the second end portion 37′ is extended and formed preferably unitarily during the molding of plastic overlayer 61 to include an integrally molded handle structure-supporting ring structure 74. The ring structure 74 is oriented, configured and adapted to have respective portions that fit over and extend along edge portions of the lip 68 so that opposed portions of the ring structure form inside and outside surface portions of the lip 68 about the mouth 69 of the container 44. Preferably, as shown for example in
A now preferred cross sectional configuration of the ring structure 74 is as illustrated in
During assembly of the handle structure 51 with the container 74, regions of the inside portions of the ring structure 74 that are radially adjacent to the flange 63 can be raised or bent upwards and outwards angularly. During assembly of handle structure 51 with container 44, the flanges 63, 64 are compressed (clamped) together radially on each side of the lip 48 and the combination is spot welded (or heat welded, in the case of plastic) together while the arm 31′ is held oriented in a fixed, longitudinal position relative to the outside of container 44.
The molded plastic overlayer 61 at second end portion 37′ is conveniently and preferably provided with a downwardly extending (relative to the edge of the lip 48) projection 70. Defined perpendicularly, centrally and radially (relative to container 44) through projection 70 is a window 71 through which access to outer surface portions of the flange 63 are available. After the flanges 63, 64 are mounted to the lip 68, a mating plug 72, which is preferably comprised of a plastic similar to that used in the plastic overlayer 61 and its projection 70, is inserted into the window 71. The plug 72 serves to effectively mask exteriorly the flange 64 and any associated otherwise exteriorly visible marks from welding or the like. After flanges 63 and 64 are mounted over the lip 68, the ring structure 74 is positioned over the lip 68, thereby masking the presence of the flanges 63, 64 and related incidentally visible features.
The inside portions of the ring structure 74 conveniently and preferably have defined therein raised screw threads 75 (shown, for example, in
The handle structure 51, like the handle structure 30, incorporates a bridging link 39′ that is similarly comprised and that extends between the distal end portion 33′ and a preferably generally radially adjacent portion 80 (see, for example,
The rearward portion 41′ of bridging link 39′ is pivotally mounted to the pivot leaf 45′ similarly to the manner in which the pivot leaf 45 is pivotally mounted to the pivot leaf 45′ using the ears 46′ and the pivot pin 48′. Thereby, as in the case of the pivot link 39 of the handle structure 30, the forward portion 40′ of the bridging link 39′ is adapted to pivot relative to its rearward portion 41′, and the pivot pin 48′ and the pivot leaf 45′, and thus the forward portion 40′ is reversibly pivotable relative to the rearward portion 41′ and so is movable from the indicated first position to a second position that is in spaced relationship relative to the first position whereby a gap is defined between the distal end portion 33′ and the bridging link 39′. Various pivotal mounting arrangements can be employed, as those skilled in the art will appreciate.
As in the case of the bridging link 39, the interrelationship between the pivotal mounting assembly comprised of the ears 37′, the pivot leaf 45′ and the pintle pin 48′ at the rearward portion 41′ of the bridging link 39′ and the distal end 33′ is such that the bridging link 39′ is spatially movable inwards relative to the arm 31′ and leg 35′ subassembly when the lower end region or distal end 33′ of the handle structure 30′ is to be opened from the indicated first position by pivoting of the bridging link 39. In the first position, the forward portion 40′ abuts against the distal end 33′. Pivoting travel of the bridging link 39′ relative to distal end 33′ outwardly beyond the distal end 33′ is limited by this abutment so that a stop means is provided that prevents outward travel of the forward portion 40 beyond the distal end 33′. The effectiveness of this stop means is adjustable and enhanceable by the angle and shape selected for the respective adjoining faces of the forward portion 40′ and the distal end portion 33′.
To enhance the effectiveness of the stop means, and achieve an interlocking engagement between the distal end portion 33′ and the forward portion 40′, the forward portion 40′ is provided with a forwardly projecting tab 83 that is preferably integrally formed with the bridging link 39 while the distal end portion 33′ is provided with a slot 84 that is matingly engageable with the tab 83 when the forward portion 40′ is pivoted to the location where it abuts against the distal end portion 33′. This arrangement is desirable and preferred because it reduces and even avoids the occurrence of the possibility that, under a loading force applied against the inside surface region of the bridging link 39′ when in the first position, the forward portion 40′ will be displaced laterally relative to the distal end 33. The position of the bridging link 39′ when in the second position is illustrated in phantom in
In an alternative handle structure embodiment 85 that is shown fragmentarily in
In an alternative handle structure embodiment 95 that is shown fragmentarily in
In another handle structure embodiment 106 that is shown in
The bottom ring 115 is provided with a preferably unitarily formed pivot leaf 117 that is similar in structure and form to the pivot leaf 45. A bridging link 118 that is similar in structure and form to the bridging link 39′ is pivotably connected through a pair of laterally spaced, parallel ears 113 at its rearward portion 119 with the pivot leaf 117 by means of a pintle pin 120 that is similar in structure and form to the pin 48′. The forward portion 121 of the bridging link 118 abuts against the distal end portion 123 of the arm 122 of the handle structure 106 when in its first position. The forward portion 121 is provided with a forwardly projecting tab or tongue 124 that is adapted to be matingly received in a slot or groove (not detailed) defined in the distal end portion 123 in a manner similar to the tab 83 and slot 84 in the handle structure 51, thereby to achieve a similar function. A spring 126 like the spring 49′ has a coiled body hat extends around the pintle pin 120 and yieldingly biases the forward portion 121 into engagement with the distal end portion 123. If desired, the channel provided through each of the ears 113 for the pintle pin 120 can be provided with outer end caps 127.
The mounting cage structure 114 functions, when engaged with the ring 109 and with the bridging link 118, to support the handle structure 106 in a removable but longitudinally and circumferentially adjustable position about and relative to the container 111.
Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate from the foregoing teachings that the end openable handle structures of this invention can be employed in combination with many different objects and structures. When the object or structure is a container, the container can be, for example, a mug, a thermos-type vessel for insulating hot or cold liquids, a coffee press, a baby feeding bottle, a vessel for holding materials for a laboratory experiment, or any other similar or comparable type of dispenser or container.
As those both skilled and unskilled, particularly in the container closure and cap arts will further appreciate, numerous structural and functional modifications and adaptations may be made in the handle structures of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
