LUGGAGE HANDLE

Abstract

A luggage handle for use in combination with the telescoping cross bar handle member of wheeled luggage includes an elongate arcuate configured hand grip handle element which is ergonomically shaped and which is attached to a plate element about which it rotates. The plate member is, in turn, configured for attachment to the cross bar member of a luggage item by means of straps which connect through slots in the plate member that may be wrapped around the cross bar member of the telescoping handle of the wheeled luggage.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In a principal aspect the present invention relates to a luggage handle which may be attached to a wheeled luggage carrier of the type having a telescoping handle. The luggage handle of the invention has an ergonomic configuration and is capable of being adjusted to conform with the inclination and orientation of a person's hand and wrist.

Wheeled luggage carriers or luggage items typically include a telescoping handle which, when opened, must be gripped and then pulled in order to transport the luggage. The handle that is gripped is usually oriented transversely to the direction of movement of the luggage item. Often this places a strain on the wrist of the individual pulling the luggage and may be considered uncomfortable.

Various devices have been proposed to overcome the issue of lack of comfort including the following, each of which is incorporated herewith by reference.

U.S. Pat. No.	Issue Date	Title
5,722,118	Mar. 3, 1998	Handle Conversion Apparatus
5,878,853	Mar. 9, 1999	Luggage Pull
6,470,533	Oct. 29, 2002	Universally Rotating Pivotal Luggage
		Handle

While each of the above-referenced devices has a certain degree of utilitarian benefit and may enhance comfortable engagement with and transport of a wheeled luggage item, nonetheless, there has remained a need for an improved ergonomic luggage handle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly, the present invention comprises a luggage handle which includes an elongate, generally arcuate hand grip handle member formed to be comfortable when manually gripped. The arcuate hand grip handle member thus includes an outer end, an intermediate section that is rounded and configured for comfortable gripping and an inner or engagement end or connection end which includes a fastener or pivot connection for attachment to a transverse plate member. The plate member is designed for attachment to the cross handle of a telescoping handle of wheeled luggage by means of flexible straps. The plate member and hand grip handle include opposed bearing surfaces, and the hand grip handle is attached to the plate member by a rod or shaft about which the handle member may rotate or pivot. The handle member may include cushion inserts to further enhance the comfort and ergonomic capability of the device. The plate member is designed to easily engage and be attached to or detached from the cross handle member of a pull handle of a wheeled luggage item by flexible straps. When attached to a telescoping luggage handle of wheeled luggage, the handgrip handle member projects generally in the direction of travel. Thus, a person may wrap their fingers and palm about the handgrip handle member without bending their wrist in an uncomfortable manner.

Thus, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved luggage handle device.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an ergonomically configured luggage handle device which may be rotated about an axis directed generally in the direction of travel and which may be easily attached to the cross bar handle of a wheeled luggage item.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a luggage handle device which may include cushion elements.

A further object of the invention is to provide an inexpensive, yet rugged and highly compact ergonomically configured luggage handle device.

These and other objects, advantages and features of the invention will be set forth in the detailed description which follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

In the detailed description which follows, reference will be made to the drawing comprised of the following figures:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation of an embodiment of the luggage handle of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the handle of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2A is a cross section of the hand grip handle element of FIG. 2 taken along line 2A-2A;

FIG. 2B is a cross sectional view of the hand grip handle element of FIG. 2 taken along the line 2B-2B;

FIG. 2C is a cross sectional view of the hand grip handle element taken along the line 2C-2C in FIG. 2;

FIG. 2D is a partially cut away side elevation view;

FIG. 3 is a rear or back side elevation of the handle of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the handle of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the handle of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an exploded isometric view of the luggage handle of the embodiment of FIG. 1 depicting the connection feature for attaching the elongate hand grip handle element to a plate member;

FIG. 7 is an isometric view illustrating a method of use of the luggage handle of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a side elevation of the handle of FIG. 1 illustrating the use thereof;

FIG. 9 is an isometric view of a luggage handle as depicted in FIG. 1 wherein the luggage handle has been positioned on the cross bar handle of a telescoping handle of a wheeled luggage item;

FIG. 10 is an isometric view similar to FIG. 9 wherein the plate member is depicted with straps attached thereto for binding the luggage handle to the cross bar of a telescoping handle of a luggage item;

FIG. 11 is an isometric view similar to FIG. 10 further illustrating the attachment of the luggage handle by means of straps;

FIG. 12 is an isometric view similar to FIG. 11 further illustrating the attachment of the handle by means of straps;

FIG. 13 is a further isometric view illustrating the attachment of the handle to a cross bar of a telescoping handle of a luggage item;

FIG. 13A is a side elevation of the embodiment of FIG. 1 attached to the cross bar of a telescoping handle of a luggage item and further depicting for gripping the handle by an individual; and

FIG. 14 is an isometric view illustrating one method of grasping or gripping the luggage handle of the embodiment of FIG. 1 as attached to an item of wheeled luggage having a telescoping handle.

DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the figures, the luggage handle in the embodiment depicted includes a hand grip handle member 20 attached to a plate member 22. The plate member 22 may be affixed by means of generally parallel first and second straps 22 and 24 to a handle cross bar 26 of a telescoping handle 28 of wheeled luggage. The construction of the hand grip handle member is depicted in detail by reference to FIGS. 1-8. The attached plate member 22 is also detailed in these figures. The remaining FIGS. 9-14 depict in greater detail the attachment of the plate member 22 by means of the straps 24 and 26 to a telescoping handle crossbar 26 of wheeled luggage and further illustrates the methodology of use of the luggage handle of the invention. The luggage handle of the invention is ergonomically configured to enhance utility and comfort when used. Additionally, the luggage handle of the invention is very compact, yet rugged and thus can be easily stored and subsequently attached to a telescoping handle of a wheeled luggage item.

The hand grip handle member 20 includes a centrally located, longitudinal axis 30 depicted in FIG. 2 which extends from a first attachment end 34 to an opposite outer end 36. The axis 30 is curved or arcuate. The curve of the axis 30 is a composite curve. The axis 30 connects with a straight, center line axis 38 normal to a flat planar bearing face 40 at the attachment end 34 of the hand grip handle member 20. The axis 38 forms an angle 42 with a tangent 44 to the curved axis 30 where it joins or intersects the straight line axis 38. The angle 42 is within the range approximately of 20°-80°. The axis 30 curves from the juncture 48 between the axis 38 and the axis 30. The composite axes 30 and 38 extend longitudinally between the bearing face 34 and the opposite outer end 36 of handle member 20.

The opposite end 36 terminates with a flange 50. Intermediate the flange 50 and the juncture of axis 30 with axis 38; namely, the juncture 48, is a shaped or formed connection or section which includes variable cross sectional shapes. The cross sectional shapes are rectangular with rounded corners, generally elliptical or ellipsoids such as depicted in FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C. The center ellipsoid or elliptical shape depicted in FIG. 2B has a greater cross sectional area than the shapes on opposite sides thereof as represented by FIGS. 2A and 2C. Thus, the hand grip section which comprises the region of the hand grip handle member intermediate the flange 50 and the outer end 34 thereof is sectioned with a variable, but generally elliptical cross section transverse to the axis 30 with a major cross sectional area intermediate lesser cross sectional areas to thereby provide an ergonomic configuration to the hand grip handle member 20. It should be noted that the hand grip handle member 20 may be formed from a molded plastic material and a rubberized insert 52 or inserts 52 and 54 fitted into molded retention sections of the hand grip handle member 20 to provide for improved comfort and gripability of the hand grip handle member.

The plate member 22 includes a flat planar bearing surface 60 which is opposed to the bearing surface 34 of the hand grip handle member 20. The plate member 22 includes a recessed counterbore 64 which is cylindrical; namely, the counterbore 64 in FIG. 6 which receives a cylindrical center line projection 66 molded into the end of the hand grip handle member 20 as depicted in FIG. 6. The cylindrical projection 66 fits into the cylindrical counterbore 64 and enables the hand grip handle member 20 to be rotated about the axis 38. A shaft or connection member 68 is coaxial with the axis 38 and fits through the cylindrical counterbore 64. The connection member 68 may comprise a headed bolt which receives and cooperates with a washer 69 to fit through a center passage 71 in the handle member as depicted in FIG. 3. The connection member or shaft 68 will engage a lock nut 70 so that the bearing faces 34 and 60 may slidably engage or fit one against the other to permit the hand grip handle member 20 to rotate about the axis 38 in the plate 22.

The plate 22 further includes a first lateral side wing 74 and an opposite side wing 76. The side wings 74, 76 extend radially in opposite directions from axis 38 and extend beyond the surface 60. Each wing 74, 76 includes a peripheral rib 78 along one side thereof. Further, wings 74, 76 include, respectively, a through slot 80 and 82. On the side of wings 74 and 76 opposite the slot 80 is a recess channel 84 and 86, respectively. The slots 80 and 82 receive a first end of the straps 23 and 24, respectively. The straps 23 and 24 thus may be folded or wrapped around the handle 26 or cross bar telescoping handle of a wheeled luggage item as depicted in FIGS. 11-13. The straps 23 and 24 preferably include a hook and loop fastener material, at least on one side thereof so that the straps 23, 24, when they are folded over each other, will grip tightly and attach the plate 22 tightly onto the cross bar member 26, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 11. Preferably, the inside of a strap, such as strap 24, includes hook and loop material 90. Further, discrete portions of the outside surface of the strap, for example, strap 24, include a hook and loop fastener material 92 in FIG. 11 which facilitates attachment of a strap to the handle as described and as depicted for example in FIG. 13.

The wings 74, 76, and more particularly the channels 84, 86 in the wings 74, 76, facilitate alignment of the bands or straps 23, 24 which are utilized to attach the wings 74, 76 and the plate 22 to the cross handle member of a wheeled luggage item. The slots 80, 82 each have a width which is substantially equal to the width of a strap 23, 24 and facilitate attachment of straps 23, 24 to the wings 74, 76. Typically, the ends of the straps 23, 24 are fitted through the slots 80, 82 and stitched to fit over the top side of the wings 74, 76. The slots 82, 84 are spaced laterally from the side of the center line axis 38 in a manner which will insure that the plate 22 fits and engages the handle of a cross bar member and provides sufficient gripping force to retain the luggage handle of the embodiment tightly against the handle of a cross bar member.

Various mechanisms may be used to attach the hand grip handle member 20 to the plate 22. Important features are the opposed bearing surfaces 34 and 60 which engage each other as well as the shaft or connection member 68 which maintains the component parts joined together.

The handle member is attached to the wheeled luggage so that it is pointed in the direction of luggage movement typically as illustrated in FIG. 13A. It should be noted however that the hand grip handle member may be gripped such as depicted in FIG. 14 and pulled to transport the luggage. Further, the particular ergonomic configuration of the hand grip handle member may be altered or varied depending upon the market to which the product is directed. That is, it can be customized on the basis of size. It can be customized on the basis of the inserts, for example, the cushion inserts which facilitate comfort. It may be customized to include finger indentations, for example, on the undersurface thereof. Thus, while there has been set forth an embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is to be limited only by the following claims and equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. An ergonomic luggage handle comprising, in combination:

an elongate configured hand grip handle member having a curved longitudinal axis extending from a first attachment end to an opposite free end, with an ergonomic connection section intermediate the first attachment end and the opposite end, said connection section including a hand grip section having generally elliptical cross sectional shapes transverse to the axis with a major cross sectional area intermediate spaced minor cross sectional areas, and said opposite free end including a flange projecting transversely to the axis at said opposite end,

said first end including a bearing face with a connection member projecting axially therefrom at an angle in the range of about 20° to 80° with respect to a tangent to the longitudinal axis at said first end;

a plate member transverse to the connection member and rotatably attached thereto, said plate member including a bearing surface in opposed relation to and slidably positioned against the bearing face of the first end whereby said handle member is attached to the plate member by the connection member and rotatable with respect thereto, said plate member including at least one laterally extending wing; and

a fastening band affixed to the wing and foldable over the wing to retain the plate member attached to a luggage handle cross bar.

2. The luggage handle of claim 1 wherein said plate includes oppositely extending wings which are aligned and transverse to the rotation axis of the connection member, and further including a fastening band foldable over each wing to retain the plate member attached to a luggage handle cross bar.

3. The luggage handle of claim 1 wherein the wing includes first and second parallel slots extending laterally from the connection member axis, and the fastening band comprises a flexible strip having one end fitted through the slots, said band including a hook and loop fastener material at said one end and hook and loop fastener material on the opposite side of said strip generally at the top face of said wing.

4. The handle of claim 1 wherein the connection member comprises a shaft extending from the first end of the hand grip handle member journaled in the plate member.

5. The handle of claim 2 wherein the connection member comprises a shaft extending from the first end of the hand grip handle member journaled in the plate member.

6. The handle of claim 3 wherein the connection member comprises a shaft extending from the first end of the hand grip handle member journaled in the plate member.

7. The luggage handle of claim 2 wherein the wing includes first and second parallel slots extending laterally from the connection member axis, and the fastening band comprises a flexible strip having one end fitted through the slots and said band includes a hook and loop fastener material at said one end generally at the top face of said wing and hook and loop fastener material on the opposite side of said strip.

8. The handle of claim 7 wherein the connection member comprises a shaft extending from the first end of the hand grip handle member journaled in the plate member.

9. The luggage handle of claim 6 wherein said plate includes oppositely extending wings which are aligned and transverse to the rotation axis of the connection member, and further including a fastening band foldable over each wing to retain the plate member attached to a luggage handle cross bar.