INTEGRATED HOOK AND HANDLE

Abstract

A cord hook and handle formed from a single one-piece elongated body, wherein one end is formed in the shape of an S-shaped hook and the other end is formed in the shape of a T-shaped handle, and wherein the S-shaped hook end extends perpendicular to the T-shaped handle end.

Claims

1. An integrated hook and handle, comprising: a one-piece continuous elongated body having a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion is formed in the shape of an S-shaped hook, and the second portion is formed in the shape of a T-shaped handle, and wherein the S-shaped hook portion extends perpendicular to the T-shaped handle portion.

2. The integrated hook and handle of claim 1, wherein the first and second portions are continuously formed from a single integral bar of material.

3. The integrated hook and handle of claim 1, wherein the height of the S-shaped hook is slightly smaller than the height of the T-shaped handle.

4. The integrated hook and handle of claim 1, wherein the height of the S-shaped hook is approximately the same as the width of the T-shaped handle.

5. The integrated hook and handle of claim 1, wherein a free end of the S-shaped hook points downwardly in a direction parallel to the bottom of the T-shaped handle.

6. The integrated hook and handle of claim 1, wherein the T-shaped handle is formed by the second portion of the elongated body bending to loop back upon itself such that a free end of the T-shaped handle points towards the center of the T-shaped handle.

7. The integrated hook and handle of claim 1, wherein the S-shaped hook has first and second curved portions and wherein one curved portion has a larger radius of curvature than the other.

8. The integrated hook and handle of claim 7, wherein the curved portion closer to the T-shaped handle has a smaller radius of curvature than the curved portion at a free end of the S-shaped hook.

9. The integrated hook and handle of claim 8, further comprising: an elastic cord, wherein a free end of the elastic cord is looped over the curved portion of the S-shaped hook.

10. The integrated hook and handle of claim 1, wherein the handle is made of metal.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present integrated hook and handle assembly.

[0012] FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the present integrated hook and handle assembly.

[0013] FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of the present integrated hook and handle assembly.

[0014] FIG. 4A is a first perspective view of an operator using the present integrated hook and handle assembly to hook an end of an elastic cord onto an object.

[0015] FIG. 4B is a second perspective view of the operator hooking the end of the elastic cord onto the object of FIG. 4A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 show various views of the present integrated hook and handle assembly 10, as follows. Assembly 10 comprises a first portion 20 and a second portion 30. Portions 20 and 30 are preferably formed from a single one-piece continuous elongated body.

[0017] First portion 20 is formed in the shape of an S-shaped hook, and second portion 30 is formed in the shape of a T-shaped handle. As can be seen, the S-shaped hook portion 20 extends perpendicular to the T-shaped handle portion 30. (For example, as seen in FIG. 3, the S-shaped hook portion 20 extends perpendicular to the page whereas the T-shaped handle portion is disposed in the plane of the page). Portions 20 and 30 are preferably continuously formed from a single integral bar of material.

[0018] As can also be seen, the height H.sub.S of the S-shaped hook is just slightly smaller than the height H.sub.T of the T-shaped handle.

[0019] As can also be seen, the height H.sub.S of the S-shaped hook is approximately the same as the width W.sub.T of the T-shaped handle.

[0020] Additionally, a free end 21 of the S-shaped hook 20 points downwardly in a direction parallel to the bottom of the T-shaped handle.

[0021] As can also be seen, T-shaped handle portion 30 is preferably formed by the elongated body bending to loop back upon itself such that a free end 31 of the T-shaped handle points towards the center of the T-shaped handle as shown. In alternate embodiments, there is no free end 31 since this point is simply welded back onto the junction of the T-shaped handle.

[0022] As best seen in FIG. 2, S-shaped hook 20 has first and second curved portions 23 and 25. Optionally, curved portion 25 can have a larger radius of curvature than curved portion 23. However, curved portion 23 can instead have a larger radius of curvature than curved portion 25. In other embodiments, curved portions 23 and 25 have the same radius of curvature.

[0023] The end of elastic cord 50 is preferably connected onto assembly 10 with a free end 51 of elastic cord 50 being looped over curved portion 23 and secured in place with a clamp 52.

[0024] Assembly 10 can optionally be made of metal or any other suitable material.

[0025] Finally, operation of the hook and handle assembly can be seen by viewing FIGS. 4A and 4B. In FIG. 4A, the cord 50 is in its normal (non-stretched) position. An operator grabs onto T-shaped handle 30 and pulls upwardly, stretching elastic cord 50. Next, as seen in FIG. 4B, the user pulls the handle such that the free end 21 of S-shaped hook 20 latches around object 60, thereby securing cord 50 to object 60, as shown.