IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,093,323
Granted Patent B2
US 7,093,323 · App. 10/762,205 · Granted Aug 22, 2006

Ergonomic handle for a carrying case

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,093,323
App. No.
10/762,205
Granted
Aug 22, 2006
Kind
B2
Abstract

An ergonomic handle that includes a male portion and a female portion. The male portion nest in the female portion to form a single, preferably rigid, form. The stiffness of the handle spreads the load of the case more evenly across all the fingers thereby helping to reduce fatigue.

Claims (53)

1. A handle for attachment to a carrying case, the handle comprising:

a first rigid plastic portion comprising an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion defining a substantially horizontal receiving area and the lower portion defining a first carrying case engagement portion; and

a second rigid plastic portion comprising an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion defining a substantially horizontal nesting part that is configured to nest within the substantially horizontal receiving area and the lower portion defining a second carrying case engagement portion,

wherein the nesting part is configured to pivot within the receiving area, and the handle is configured to continue to be ergonomic as the substantially horizontal nesting part pivots within the substantially horizontal receiving area, and

wherein the first carrying case engagement portion is adapted to pivot inwardly with respect to the carrying case, and

wherein the second carrying case engagement portion is adapted to pivot inwardly with respect to the carrying case while the first carrying case engagement portion pivots inward;

wherein the first and second carrying case engagement portions each comprise an elongated horizontal portion that is configured to be attached to the carrying case.

2. A handle in accordance with claim 1 wherein the first portion is capable of being separated from the second portion.

3. A handle in accordance with claim 1 wherein the nesting part completely fills the receiving area, and extends above the receiving area.

4. The handle of claim 1 , wherein the substantially horizontal receiving area is substantially rounded and the nesting part is substantially rounded, and wherein the substantially rounded receiving area contacts the substantially rounded nesting part and at least part of the nesting part extends above the horizontal receiving area.

5. The ergonomic handle of claim 1 , wherein the receiving area is substantially rounded and the nesting part is substantially rounded, wherein the substantially rounded receiving area contacts the substantially rounded nesting part while pivoting.

6. The handle of claim 1 further comprising a soft cover covering the first rigid portion or the second rigid portion.

7. An apparatus comprising:

a carrying case;

at least two handle engagement portions; and

a handle comprising

a first rigid plastic portion comprising an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion defining a substantially horizontal receiving area and the lower portion defining a first carrying case engagement portion that engages at least one of the at least two handle engagement portions, and

a second rigid plastic portion comprising an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion defining a substantially horizontal nesting part that is configured to nest within the substantially horizontal receiving area and the lower portion defining a second carrying case engagement portion that engages at least one of the at least two handle engagement portions,

wherein the nesting part is capable of pivoting within the receiving area, and wherein the handle is configured to continue to be ergonomic when the substantially horizontal nesting part pivots within the substantially horizontal receiving area, and

wherein the first carrying case engagement portion is adapted to pivot inwardly with respect to the carrying case and wherein the second carrying case engagement portion is adapted to pivot inwardly with respect to the carrying case while the first carrying case engagement portion pivots inward; wherein the first and second carrying case engagement portions each comprise an elongated horizontal portion that is configured to be attached to the carrying case.

8. An apparatus in accordance with claim 7 wherein the first and second carrying case engagement portions each comprise their elongated portion received by a respective handle engagement portion.

9. An apparatus in accordance with claim 7 wherein the carrying case comprises four handle engagement portions and the first and second carrying case engagement portions each comprise two individual parts that engage two respective handle engagement portions.

10. An apparatus in accordance with claim 7 wherein the first rigid portion is capable of being separated from the second rigid portion.

11. An apparatus in accordance with claim 7 wherein when the nesting part is configured to pivot within the receiving area, and the carrying case is capable of expanding from about 1 to about 5 inches at a location where the handle is attached to the carrying case.

12. The carrying case of claim 7 , wherein the receiving area is substantially rounded and the nesting part is substantially rounded, and wherein the substantially rounded receiving area contacts the substantially rounded nesting part.

13. The apparatus of claim handle of claim 7 further comprising a soft cover covering the first rigid portion or the second rigid portion.

14. An apparatus in accordance with claim 7 wherein the first and second carrying case engagement portions are at a top region of the carrying case.

15. A method of varying dimensions of a carrying case in an apparatus including the carrying case, at least two handle engagement portions and a handle,

the handle comprising

a first rigid plastic portion comprising an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion defining a substantially horizontal receiving area and the lower portion defining a first carrying case engagement portion that engages at least one of the at least two handle engagement portions, and

a second rigid plastic portion comprising an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion defining a substantially horizontal nesting part that nests within the substantially horizontal receiving area when the handle is in use and the lower portion defining a second carrying case engagement portion that engages at least one of the at least two handle engagement portions,

wherein the nesting part is capable of pivoting within the receiving area, the method comprising:

placing the nesting part of the second rigid portion in the substantially horizontal receiving area in the first rigid portion; and

pivoting the nesting part within the receiving area and also pivoting the first and second carrying case engagement portions with respect to the carrying case; and

varying the width of the carrying case,

wherein the handle is configured to continue to be ergonomic as the substantially horizontal nesting part pivots within the substantially horizontal receiving area; wherein the first and second carrying case engagement portions each comprise an elongated horizontal portion that is configured to be attached to the carrying case.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the receiving area is substantially rounded and the nesting part is substantially rounded, wherein the substantially rounded receiving area contacts the substantially rounded nesting part.

17. A handle for attachment to a carrying case, the handle comprising:

a first rigid plastic portion comprising an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion defining a substantially horizontal receiving area and the lower portion defining a first carrying case engagement portion; and

a second rigid plastic portion comprising an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion defining a substantially horizontal nesting part that is configured to nest within the substantially horizontal receiving area and the lower portion defining a second carrying case engagement portion,

wherein the nesting part is configured to pivot within the receiving area, and the handle is configured to continue to be ergonomic as the substantially horizontal nesting part pivots within the substantially horizontal receiving area, and

wherein the first carrying case engagement portion is adapted to pivot inwardly with respect to the carrying case, and

wherein the second carrying case engagement portion is adapted to pivot inwardly with respect to the carrying case while the first carrying case engagement portion pivots inward; wherein the first and second carrying case engagement portions each comprise an elongated horizontal portion that is configured to be attached to the carrying case.

18. A handle in accordance with claim 17 wherein the first and second carrying case engagement portions are adapted to be attached to a top portion of the carrying case.

19. An apparatus comprising:

a carrying case;

at least two handle engagement portions; and

a handle comprising

a first rigid plastic portion comprising an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion defining a substantially horizontal receiving area and the lower portion defining a first carrying case engagement portion that engages at least one of the at least two handle engagement portions, and

a second rigid plastic portion comprising an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion defining a substantially horizontal nesting part that is configured to nest within the substantially horizontal receiving area and the lower portion defining a second carrying case engagement portion that engages at least one of the at least two handle engagement portions,

wherein the nesting part is capable of pivoting within the receiving area, and wherein the handle is configured to continue to be ergonomic when the substantially horizontal nesting part pivots within the substantially horizontal receiving area, and

wherein the first carrying case engagement portion is adapted to pivot inwardly with respect to the carrying case and wherein the second carrying case engagement portion is adapted to pivot inwardly with respect to the carrying case while the first carrying case engagement portion pivots inward; wherein the first and second carrying case engagement portions each comprise an elongated horizontal portion that is configured to be attached to the carrying case.

20. An apparatus in accordance with claim 19 wherein the first and second carrying case engagement portions are at a top region of the carrying case.

Assignments (13)
ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT RECORDED AT R/F 028217/0360 Recorded May 17, 2013
From: BARCLAYS BANK PLC, AS EXISTING ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, EXISTING SWING LINE LENDER AND EXISTING L/C ISSUER
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS NEW ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, SWING LINE LENDER AND L/C ISSUER
Reel/Frame 030427/0574 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE THE MISSING ASSIGNEES ON THE RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 028168 FRAME 0713. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNEES ACCO BRANDS USA LLC AND GENERAL BINDING CORPORATION ARE ADDITIONAL ASSIGNEES. Recorded Jul 3, 2012
From: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL TRUSTEE
To: ACCO BRANDS CORPORATION; ACCO BRANDS USA LLC; GENERAL BINDING CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 028487/0671 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE MISSING ASSIGNEES ON THE RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 028168 FRAME 0738. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNEES ACCO BRANDS USA LLC, AND GENERAL BINDING CORPORATION ARE ADDITIONAL ASIGNEES. Recorded Jul 3, 2012
From: DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW YORK BRANK, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: ACCO BRANDS CORPORATION; ACCO BRANDS USA LLC; GENERAL BINDING CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 028488/0056 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 16, 2012
From: ACCO BRANDS USA LLC
To: BARCLAYS BANK PLC, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 028217/0360 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 7, 2012
From: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL TRUSTEE
To: ACCO BRANDS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 028168/0713 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 7, 2012
From: DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW YORK BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: ACCO BRANDS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 028168/0738 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Oct 30, 2009
From: ACCO BRANDS CORPORATION; ACCO BRANDS USA LLC; DAY-TIMERS INC.; GENERAL BINDING CORPORATION; ACCO INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, INC.; GBC INTERNATIONAL, INC.; ACCO BRANDS INTERNATIONAL, INC.; ACCO EUROPE FINANCE HOLDINGS, LLC; ACCO EUROPE INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LLC; BOONE INTERNATIONAL, INC.; POLYBLEND CORPORATION; SWINGLINE, INC.
To: DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW YORK BRANCH
Reel/Frame 023449/0180 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 2, 2009
From: CITICORP NORTH AMERICA, INC.
To: ACCO BRANDS CORPORATION; ACCO BRANDS USA LLC; BOONE INTERNATIONAL, INC.; GENERAL BINDING CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 023312/0784 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Oct 2, 2009
From: ACCO BRANDS CORPORATION; ACCO BRANDS USA LLC; DAY-TIMERS INC.; GENERAL BINDING CORPORATION; ACCO INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, INC.; GBC INTERNATIONAL, INC.; ACCO BRANDS INTERNATIONAL, INC.; ACCO EUROPE FINANCE HOLDINGS, LLC; ACCO EUROPE INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LLC; BOONE INTERNATIONAL, INC.; POLYBLEND CORPORATION; SWINGLINE, INC.
To: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 023312/0902 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 5, 2009
From: ACCO BRANDS CORPORATION; ACCO BRANDS USA LLC; GENERAL BINDING CORPORATION
To: CITIBANK NORTH AMERICA, INC., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 022203/0848 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jun 16, 2006
From: ACCO BRANDS, INC.
To: ACCO BRANDS USA LLC
Reel/Frame 017855/0793 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 26, 2005
From: ACCO BRANDS CORPORATION, A DELAWARE CORPORATION; ACCO BRANDS USA LLC, A DELAWARE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY BOONE INTERNATIONAL, INC., A CALIFORNIA CORPORATION GENERAL BINDING CORPORATION, A DELAWARE CORPORATION; BOONE INTERNATIONAL, INC., A CALIFORNIA CORPORATION; GENERAL BINDING CORPORATION, A DELAWARE CORPORATION
To: CITICORP NORTH AMERICA, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 016914/0813 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 29, 2004
From: MORENSTEIN, JOSH; AMIT, GAD
To: ACCO BRANDS, INC.
Reel/Frame 015616/0001 →