GB2134887A - Handles for portable cases - Google Patents

Abstract

A handle for a carrying case, especially a case for scientific equipment or the like, comprises two parts (18, 20) of similar generally U- shaped form, each hingeable to a respective portion (base or lid) of the case. When the case is closed, the two handle parts can be brought together, in interlocking relationship at complementary mating surfaces (30, 32) by means of a projection (36) and a recess (34) in a manner which forms on the undersurface of the handle a continuous semi-cylindrical hand pressure surface devoid of any gap which could give rise to risk of pinching. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in case handles Field of the Invention This invention relates to a handle for a portable case or box or the like, referred to herein as a case, which is openable to permit access to its interior and is fastenable in its closed condition, and also to a case equipped with such handle.

Rigid and semi-rigid cases, more especially special purpose cases for carrying such items as electronic equipment, test equipment, engineering tool sets and the like, are commonly provided with split handles, one part on the base or equivalent portion and one part on the lid or equivalent portion of the case. The two parts of the handle are hand held together when the case is being carried. However, the weight of the articles being carried is often very substantial, and although the case is provided with a separate clasp or clasps holding it closed, there remains a tendency for the two handle parts to be pulled slightly apart, creating a small gap which makes the handle uncomfortable to hold and which can result in pinching.

Object of the Invention An object of this invention is to provide an improved handle which minimises or avoids the above described disadvantage.

The Invention According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a case handle divided into two generally similar U-shaped parts each including a hand hold, means for non-rigidly connecting the respective handle parts to the respective openable portions of the case, and interlocking means on the respective handle parts for locking the two hand holds together to form a composite hand hold which has a substantially continuous hand pressure surface.

Under some circumstances, the interlocking handle parts may also constitute the means for fastening the case in its closed condition, and it may be practicable to incorporate a key lock or the like for fixing the handle parts in their interlocked condition. More usually, however, the handle parts will interlock simply for the purpose of holding said handle parts tightly together to assist comfortable carrying, and separate clasps will be provided for fastening the case closed, in accordance with conventional practice.

Thus, according to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a carrying case having openable portions which can be fastened closed by means of one or more clasps, a split handle comprising two U-parts each having a hand hold, each of said parts non-rigidly connected to a respective one portion of the case, and interlocking means for securing the handle parts together in the closed condition of the case in order to locate and hold the hand holds tightly together.

In a preferred arrangement, the respective handle parts are each pivotally mountable or mounted to a respective portion of the case. Thus, when the case has been closed, the two handle parts can be swung together into interlocking engagement. The two handle parts will readily be separable when the case is opened, yet at the same time the interlocking means can ensure that the individual hand holds are held tightly together when the case is being carried. This is conveniently achieved by the provision of two mating faces on the respective hand holds, together with a respective interlocking projection and recess, one in one of said mating faces and the other on the other face. Preferably, the mating faces of the respective hand holds contact in a plane which passes through the line of separation of the two portions of the case on which the respective handle parts are mounted.

Considered in the orientation in which the case will be carried, the composite hand hold preferably has a semi-cylindrical underface, i.e. hand pressure surface, symmetrically divided by a vertical contact plane at which the individual hand holds of the two handle parts mate tightly together. The interlocking means may take the form of an elongate recess in one of said mating surfaces and on the other mating surface a rib-like projection which extends in an elongate loop matching the inner periphery of said elongate recess so as to snap into interlocking engagement with the latter. In this way it is ensured that the semi-cylindrical hand pressure surface of the composite hand hold is an unrestricted continuous surface along the entire length of the hand hold, and any tendency for the handle parts to separate due to the weight being carried is satisfactorily resisted.

Description of Invention A practical example of case handle in accordance with the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a case handle in perspective; Figure 2 shows the closed handle in end elevation; Figure 3 shows the open handle in plan view, and Figure 4 shows the open handle in end elevation.

In the drawings, the reference 10 denotes the dividing line at which the portions 12, 14 of a carrying case separate from one another, e.g. by hinging part on hinges disposed on the remote side (not shown) of the case from the handle. To either side of the handle, generally referenced 1 6 in Figure 1, the case will be provided with clasps (not shown) of a conventional form for fastening the case closed.

The case handle, moulded of plastics material for example, comprises two U-shaped parts 18, 20, each with an elongate crosspiece, 22, 24 respectively, which constitutes a hand hold. The two handle parts 18, 20 are pivotally mounted, as at 26, 28, to the respective portions 12, 14 of the case, which will generally be of a rigid or semirigid nature.

In all of the figures of drawings, the case 12, 14 is shown closed. However, it will be apparent from Figures 3 and 4 that, when the handle parts are separated and pivoted apart, the case can be unclasped and opened, each portion of the case taking its respective handle part with it.

In the closed condition of the case, the two handle parts 1 8, 20 can be pivoted together, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the individual hand holds 22, 24 coming together to form a composite hand hold. In accordance with the invention, in order to ensure that this composite hand hold has no tendency to separate when the case is being carried, the handle parts 1 8, 20 are provided with interlocking means which mate the individual hand holds tightly together. This interlocking means appear most clearly in Figure 4.

Each individual hand hold 22, 24 has a flat surface, respectively 30, 32. One such surface 30 has an elongate recess 34; the other has a rib-like projection 36 extending in an elongate loop generally matching the interior periphery of the recess 34, preferably being slightly oversized relative to the latter. Thus, when the two hand holds are brought together at the mating surfaces 30, 32, the projection 36 snaps resiliently into recess 34 to hold the surfaces 30, 32 in tight contact. Each individual hand hold also includes a part cylindrical surface, respectively 38, 40, and with the hand holds interlocked together, these define a substantially continuous semi-cylindrical undersurface to the composite hand hold, as indicated at 42 in Figure 2. This surface 42 is the surface which applies pressure to the hand when the case is being carried, and the tight mating of the individual hand holds ensures that this surface 42 is not interrupted by any small gap between the individual hand holds which would cause discomfort or pinching.

It will be appreciated that the above-described embodiment may be modified in various ways within the scope of the invention as hereinbefore defined. In particular, it is not essential for the individual handle parts to be pivotally mounted to the case; other non-rigid connections may be employed which enable the respective handle parts to fold back sufficiently to allow free access to the opened case but which, in consequence, can create a tendency for the handle parts to separate when the case is being carried.

Claims (11)

1. A case handle divided into two generally similar U-shaped portions each including a hand hold, means for non-rigidly connecting the respective handle parts to the respective openable portions of the case, and interlocking means on the respective handle parts for locking the two hand holds together to form a composite hand hold which has a substantially continuous hand pressure surface.

2. A carrying case provided with the case handle of claim 1.

3. A case according to claim 2, wherein the interlocking handle parts also constitute a means for fastening the case in its closed condition.

4. A carrying case having openable portions which can be fastened closed by means of one or more clasps, a split handle comprising two U-parts each having a hand hold, each of said parts non rigidiy connected to a respective one portion of the case, and interlocking means for securing the handle parts together in the closed condition of the case in order to locate and hold the hand holds tightly together.

5. A carrying case according to claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the respective handle parts are each pivotally mounted to a respective portion of the case.

6. A case or case handle according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the hand holds have respective mating faces, and an interlocking projection and recess is provided, one on one said mating face and the other on the other face.

7. A case according to claim 6 when appendant to claim 4 or to claim 5, wherein the mating faces contact in a plane which passes through the line of separation of the two portions of the case in which the respective handle portions are mounted.

8. A case or case handle according to any preceding claim, wherein the two hand holds, when the handle parts are interlocked, define a continuous semi-cylindrical undersurface which constitutes the hand pressure surface.

9. A case or case handle according to claim 6 or any claim appendant thereto, wherein the interlocking projection and recess comprise an elongate recess in one mating face and on the other mating face a rib-like projection which extends in an elongate loop matching the periphery of said elongate recess.

10. A case or case handle according to claim 9, wherein the said projection and recess are adapted for snap-fitting interengagement.

11. A carrying case or case handle therefor, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.