COLLAPSIBLE HANDGRIP

Abstract

A collapsible handgrip includes a center section and a plurality of elongated members projecting from the center section. Each of the elongated members has a first edge and a second edge opposite the first edge. Moreover, each of the elongated members is pivotable relative to the center section between a first position, in which it extends from the center section in a first direction, and a second position, in which it extends from the center section in a second direction, the first direction being generally opposite to the second direction. Each of the first edges of the elongated members is in a substantially aligned and abutting relationship relative to the second edge of an adjacent one of the elongated members when the elongated members are pivoted to their first positions so as to form a handgrip surface which extends substantially continuously across the elongated members. The handgrip can be used in conjunction with numerous implements, such as covers, caps or lids for containers or bottles, instruments and tools.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to handgrips and, more particularly, to a collapsible handgrip for various implements, including bottle/container caps or covers, tools, instruments, appliances, utensils and the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Foldable or collapsible handles have been available in the past for facilitating use of various implements. For instance, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,078,291, 5,251,774 and 5,287,982 disclose handles adapted for use in connection with caps, covers or lids for bottles or containers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a collapsible handgrip including a center section and a plurality of elongated members which project from the center section. Each of the elongated members has a first edge and a second edge opposite the first edge. Moreover, each of the elongated members is pivot able relative to the center section between a first position, in which it extends from the center section in a first direction, and a second position, in which it extends from the center section in a second direction, the first direction being generally opposite to the second direction. Each of the first edges of the elongated members is in a substantially aligned and abutting relationship relative to the second edge of an adjacent one of the elongated members when the elongated members are pivoted to their first positions so as to form a handgrip surface which extends substantially continuously across the elongated members. The handgrip can be used in conjunction with numerous implements, such as covers, caps or lids for containers or bottles, instruments and tools.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following detailed description of an exemplary embodiment considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container cap constructed in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the container cap having a plurality of petals, which are shown in their radially extending positions;

FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of the container cap shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the container cap shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view, taken along section line 4-4 and looking in the direction of the arrows, of the container cap shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 1, except that the petals are oriented in their upwardly extending positions so as to form a handgrip; and

FIG. 6 is perspective view of the container cap of FIG. 1 applied to a container, the petals being oriented in their downwardly extending positions for storage purposes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 6, there is shown a container cap device 10 constructed in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. More particularly, the device 10 includes a cap 12 which is adapted to be applied in a conventional manner to an open end of a container 14 (see FIG. 6) for holding liquid within the container 14. The cap 12 includes an internal threading 16 which is sized and shaped so as to mate with an external threading (now shown) provided at or adjacent the open end of the container 14 for removably securing the cap 12 to the container 14. Alternatively, other conventional securing mechanisms, such as friction fit mechanisms, etc., can be utilised for removably attaching the cap 12 to the container 14.

With reference to FIGS. 1-4, the device 10 includes a plurality of petals or elongated members 18 extending radially outwardly from the cap 12. The petals 18 are formed integrally or monolithically with the cap 12 (e.g., the petals 18 are molded with the cap 12 as a single piece). Each of the petals 18 has an inner end 20, which is connected to the cap 12, an outer end 22, which is curled downwardly so as to form a hook 24, a middle portion 26, which is located between the inner end 20 and the outer end 22, and a pair of lateral edges 28. Moreover, the petals 18, each of which is provided with inner and outer surfaces 30, 32, are spaced substantially equally from each other in an angular direction. In addition, each of the petals 18 is flexible such that it is movable between its upwardly extending position (see FIG. 5), in which it projects upwardly from the cap 12, and its downwardly extending position (see FIG. 6), in which it projects downwardly from the cap 12. Accordingly, the petals 18 can foe positioned in their fully expanded positions (see FIG. 1), in which they extend substantially radially outwardly from the cap 12.

A lanyard 34 (see FIGS. 5 and 6) is laced through each of the hooks 24 of the petals 18. The lanyard 34 has a fastener or grommet 36 through which both ends 38 of the lanyard 34 are threaded so as to adjustably secure the length of a loop 40 formed by the lanyard 34 for retaining the petals 18 in their upwardly extending positions or their downwardly extending positions. The fastener 36 can be any type of conventional fastener which allows quick-locking/release of the portions of the lanyard 34 extending therethrough.

Now referring to FIGS. 1 and 4, the device 10 can also be provided with an applicator 42 for use in applying liquid or other materials (e.g., paint, a cleaning and/or disinfecting solution, and other types of liquid or viscous materials) contained in the container 14 onto a surface. The applicator 42 includes a stem 44 extending downwardly from the cap 12, as well as a sponge- or felt-type brush 46 attached to an end of the stem 44. Alternatively, other types of applicators, such as bristle-type applicators, can be attached to the stem 44. The stem 44 is provided with a sufficient length such that when the cap 12 is properly applied to the container 14, the brush 46 is immersed in the liquid or materials contained in the container 14 (see FIG. 6).

The device 10 can be molded in its entirety, with the exception of the brush 46, from a suitable flexible material, such as plastic. While any flexible materials can be used in making the device 10, materials having some rigidity are preferred. Alternatively, two or more sections of the device 10 can be made as separate pieces and then attached together via conventional means.

With reference to FIG. 6, when the petals 18 are moved or collapsed to their downwardly extending positions, the petals 18 extend downwardly such that they lay at least partially against the container 14. More particularly, the end 22 of the petals 18 are in contact with the container 14. As a result, the petals 18 do not extend significantly in a radially outward direction from the container 18, thereby adding a negligible volume, if any, to the overall volume of the container 18. In such circumstances, the container 14 applied with the cap 12 can be stored away with the petals 18 positioned in their downwardly extending positions. Moreover, when the container 14 is made and shipped by a manufacturer together with the cap 12, the petals 18 can be positioned in their downwardly extending positions so as to minimise the overall shipping volume of the container 14. The petals 18 can be retained in their downwardly extending positions by pulling the ends 38 of the lanyard 34 through the fastener 36 and then securing the adjusted loop 40 of the lanyard 34 with the fastener 36.

Referring now to FIG. 5, when the cap 12 needs to be detached from the container 14, the petals 18 are moved to their upwardly extending positions such that they extend upwardly from the container 14. In these positions, the ends 22 of the petals 18 are brought or ganged up together in close proximity with one another. The petals 18 are sized and shaped such that each of the edges 28 of the petals 18 is aligned and abut an adjacent one of the edges 28 of the petals 18 substantially along its entire length. As a result, the petals 18 cooperate to form a handgrip 48 for a user to grip for removing the device 10 from the container 14 and/or for manipulating the applicator 42. When formed in this manner, the handgrip 48 is provided with a substantially continuous gripping surface extending substantially entirely across the petals 18. Moreover, due to some rigidity of the petals 18, the middle portions 26 bow outwardly (i.e., the diameter of the section of the handgrip 48 defined by the middle portions 26 of the petals 18 is larger than diameters of the handgrip 48 adjacent its opposite ends), thereby providing the handgrip 48 with a generally oval or egg-like shape and hence increasing the overall gripping surface of the handgrip 48. The enlarged gripping surface of the handgrip 48 make it easier for a user to grip and apply force or torque to the cap 12 and to thereby remove the cap 12 from the container 14.

It should be noted that the present invention can have numerous modifications and variations. For instance, the present invention may be used in conjunction with many other types of containers, such as bottles, jars, etc. In addition, the present invention may be utilized in conjunction with other types of devices, such as tools (e.g., screwdrivers, paint brushes, etc.). In such circumstances, the cap 12 may be eliminated from the device 10. Moreover, the stem 44 and the brush 46 may be removed from the device 10. The number and shape of the petals 18 can also be varied.

It will be understood that the embodiment described herein is merely exemplary and that a person skilled in the art may make many variations and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. All such variations and modifications, including those discussed above, are intended to be included within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A collapsible handgrip comprising a center section; and a plurality of elongated members projecting from said center section, each of said elongated members having a first edge and a second edge opposite said first edge, each of said elongated members being pivotable relative to said center section between a first position, in which it extends from said center section in a first direction, and a second position, in which it extends from said center section in a second direction, said first direction being generally opposite to said second direction, said first edge of each of said elongated members being in a substantially aligned and abutting relationship relative to said second edge of an adjacent one of said elongated members when said elongated members are pivoted to their said first positions so as to form a handgrip surface which extends substantially continuously across said elongated members.

2. The handgrip of claim 1, wherein said handgrip surface has a generally egg-shaped configuration.

3. The handgrip of claim 2, wherein each of said elongated members has a first end, which is located opposite said center section, a second end, which is attached to said center section, and a portion intermediate said first and second ends, said portions of said elongated members bowing radially outwardly when said elongated members are in their said first positions.

5. The handgrip of claim 4, wherein said first ends of said elongated members are ganged up together in close proximity with one another to define a first end of said egg-shaped configuration when said elongated members are in their said first positions; and wherein said second ends of said elongated members and said center section define a second end of said egg-shaped configuration.

6. The handgrip of claim 5, wherein said portions of said elongated members define an intermediate section of said egg-shaped configuration, said intermediate section of said egg-shaped configuration having a diameter which is substantially larger than diameters of said egg-shaped configuration adjacent said first and second ends.

7. The handgrip of claim 1, wherein each of said elongated members includes a first end opposite said center section, each of said first ends being curved so as to form a hook.

8. The handgrip of claim 7, further comprising a lanyard forming a loop extending through said hooks of said elongated members for securing said elongated members in their said first positions or their said second positions.

9. The handgrip of claim 8, further comprising a fastener coupled to said lanyard for releasably securing said loop.

10. The handgrip of said claim 1, further comprising an applicator extending from said center section.

11. The handgrip of claim 10, wherein said applicator includes a stem, which extends from said center section, and a brush, which is attached to an end of said stem.

12. The handgrip of claim 1, wherein said central section includes a cover for closing an open end of a container.

13. The handgrip of claim 12, wherein said cover includes an internal threading for engaging an external threading provided on the open end of the container.

14. A cover for a container, comprising a body for engaging the cover and having a center section; and a plurality of elongated members projecting from said center section, each of said elongated members having a first edge and a second edge opposite said first edge, each of said elongated members being pivotable relative to said center section between a first position, in which it extends from said center section in a first direction, and a second position, in which it extends from said center section in a second direction, said first direction being generally opposite to said second direction, said first edge of each of said elongated members being in a substantially aligned and abutting relationship relative to said second edge of an adjacent one of said elongated members when said elongated members are pivoted to their said first positions so as to form a handgrip surface which extends substantially continuously across said elongated members.

15. The cover of claim 14, wherein said handgrip surface has a generally egg-shaped configuration.

16. The cover of claim 15, wherein each of said elongated members has a first end, which is located opposite said center section, a second end, which is attached to said center section, and a portion intermediate said first and second ends, said portions of said elongated members bowing radially outwardly when said elongated members are in their said first positions.

17. The cover of claim 14, wherein each of said elongated members includes a first end opposite said center section, each of said first ends being curved so as to form a hook, said cover further comprising a lanyard forming a loop extending through said hooks of said elongated members for securing said elongated members in their said first positions or their said second positions.

18. The handgrip of claim 17, further comprising a fastener coupled to said lanyard for releasably securing said loop.

19. The cover of claim 14, further comprising an applicator extending from said center section.

20. The cover of claim 14, wherein said elongated members project upwardly from the container when they are in their said first positions such that they can be gripped by a user in removing said body from the container; and wherein said elongated members project downwardly when they are in their said second positions such that they lay at least partially against an upper portion of the container.