HANDLE WITH IMPROVED STRUCTURE

Abstract

A handle assembly configured to be coupled to a container having an attachment surface, the handle assembly comprising an elongated grip portion extending from a first end to second end and comprising outer and inner generally parallel grip surfaces; and a center spine wall between and generally normal to the outer and inner grip surfaces, joining said surfaces to form an I-beam construction, wherein the center spine wall has a thickness along the length of the elongated grip portion that is thinner in a center section of the grip portion and thicker at the first and second ends.

Claims

1. A handle assembly configured to be coupled to a container having an attachment surface, the handle assembly comprising: an elongated grip portion extending from a first end to second end and comprising outer and inner generally parallel grip surfaces; and a center spine wall between and generally normal to the outer and inner grip surfaces, joining said surfaces to form an I-beam construction, wherein the center spine wall has a thickness along the length of the elongated grip portion that is thinner in a center section of the grip portion and thicker at the first and second ends.

2. The handle assembly of claim 1, further comprising one or more legs extending from the grip portion, each of the one or more legs having a grip end and a foot end opposite the grip end.

3. The handle assembly of claim 2, further comprising a foot attached to each foot end.

4. The handle assembly of claim 1, wherein the container comprises fluid container.

5. The handle assembly of claim 1, wherein the grip portion, when the handle assembly is coupled to the container, comprises an outer surface facing outwardly away from the container and an inner surface facing inwardly toward the container.

6. The handle assembly of claim 1, further comprising at least one leg extending from each of the first and second ends of the grip portion.

7. The handle assembly of claim 6, wherein each of the legs has a grip end and a foot end opposite the grip end.

8. The handle assembly of claim 7, wherein a foot is attached to each foot end.

9. The handle assembly of claim 1, wherein the center spine wall comprises a plurality of spaced openings.

10. The handle assembly of claim 1, wherein the center spine wall transitions from a thinner thickness in center section at a bevel where the elongated grip portion transitions to the legs.

11. The handle assembly of claim 1, wherein a transition region between the elongated grip portion and the legs is provided with reinforcing ribs that minimize pockets, voids, and concavities in the surface of the handle.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

[0007] The invention is best understood from the following detailed description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, with like elements having the same reference numerals. When a plurality of similar elements is present, a single reference numeral may be assigned to the plurality of similar elements with a small letter designation referring to specific elements. When referring to the elements collectively or to a non-specific one or more of the elements, the small letter designation may be dropped. This emphasizes that according to common practice, the various features of the drawings are not drawn to scale unless otherwise indicated. On the contrary, the dimensions of the various features may be expanded or reduced for clarity. Included in the drawings are the following figures:

[0008] FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary storage assembly comprising a container and handle, according to one example;

[0009] FIG. 2 is a detailed side elevation view of the handle assembly of FIG. 1;

[0010] FIG. 3 is a top side isometric view of the detail of FIG. 2;

[0011] FIG. 4 is a detailed side elevation view of an alternative embodiment of the handle assembly of FIG. 1; and

[0012] FIG. 5 is a top side isometric view of the detail of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Aspects of the invention are described herein with reference to storage assemblies comprising containers, such as a fluid container (e.g. water bottle). It will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the example storage assemblies described herein may be used to store a variety of products and are not limited to any product disclosed herein. As used herein, the term container comprises an enclosure or apparatus defining an interior space which can contain a fluid, e.g. water or other drinking liquids, other consumer items (e.g. foods, solids, objects, etc.), or other articles. In an exemplary embodiment, a container may be a water bottle.

[0014] With reference to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows an exemplary storage assembly. The storage assembly, such as storage assembly 100. Generally, storage assembly 100 assembly comprises a container 102 and a handle assembly or handle 104. Individual components of storage assembly 100 will now be described in detail below.

[0015] Container 102 may have a size and shape, depending on the contents to be contained, housed, or secured within. As shown in FIG. 1, container 102 may comprise a water bottle, with a generally cylindrical body 108, a neck 110, a mouth 112, and an attachment surface 114. Handle 104 may be positionable adjacent or against cooperating attachment surface 114, for mounting the handle 104 to the 20) container 102 via the attachment surface 114. One skilled in the art would understand from the description herein that although the figures (e.g. FIG. 1) illustrate attachment surface 114 being disposed adjacent or on the body 108 of container 102, the location of attachment surface 114 may vary, according to functional or aesthetic considerations. For example, attachment surface 114 may be disposed in another location adjacent or on the body 108 or may be disposed around other portions of container 102, such as neck 110, mouth 112, or a combination thereof.

[0016] Container 102 may also have a closure 116 over an opening, such as mouth 112. Likewise, handle 104 may have a size and shape, depending on the container 102 on which the handle 104 may be mounted. In an exemplary embodiment, handle 104 may have a different size or shape from that of container 102. A person of ordinary skill in the art will understand from the description herein that although FIG. 1 depicts container 102 as a water bottle, storage system 100 may include other containers 102 having different sizes and shapes, without departing from the scope of the invention. One skilled in the art would also understand that containers 102 and handle 104 may be formed as separate components and coupled together by known attachment means, such as hook-and-loop fasteners, adhesives, or double-sided tape, or combinations thereof. Other suitable fastening and attachment mechanisms will be known to one of ordinary skill in the art from the description herein.

[0017] Additionally, or optionally, at least handle 104 comprises reusable materials, such that handle 104 may be utilized in connection with one or more containers 102, prior to ultimate disposal or replacement. Container 102 may also comprise reusable materials or handle 104 may comprise different materials of construction than container 102. Still further, container 102 may comprise food contact safe or sufficiently inert material and/or material that exhibits little to no corrosion associated with presence of or contact with water within container 102, when container 102 is a fluid container (e.g. water bottle). One skilled in the art would understand from the description herein that reusable materials may comprise recyclable component such as known biodegradable plastic, glass, or metal material. Further, a reusable handle 104 and/or container 102 would lead to a reduction in cost or overall improvement in manufacture of storage assemblies.

[0018] As shown in at least FIGS. 2 to 5, in an exemplary embodiment, handle 104 includes at least an elongated grip portion 118. Elongated grip portion 118 extends from a first end 118a to second end 118b. Generally, grip portion 118 may have a uniform or smooth surface, or may have an uneven surface to include grips, ridges, or raised surfaces to facilitate easier grasp of storage system 100 by a user, or for aesthetic considerations. The uneven surface may extend throughout the entirety of grip portion 118, or may be present in portions thereof, e.g. central portion between first end 118a and second end 118b. Additionally, or optionally, as shown in FIG. 1, the grip portion 118 comprises, when the handle 104 is coupled to the container 102, an outer surface 136a facing outwardly away from the container 102, and an inner surface 136b facing inwardly toward the container 102. Likewise, outer surface 136a and/or inner surface 136b may have a uniform or smooth surface, or may have an uneven surface to include grips, ridges, or raised surfaces to facilitate easier grasp of storage system 100 by a user, or for aesthetic considerations. The uneven surface may extend throughout the entirety of outer surface 136a and/or inner surface 136b or may be present in portions thereof.

[0019] Still further, handle 104 may include at least one leg 128 that extends from the grip portion 118. In an exemplary embodiment, leg 128 extends from first end 118a and another leg 128 extends from second end 118b. Each of the one or more legs 128 may have a grip end 130 and a foot end 236 opposite the grip end 130. The handle 104 may also include a foot 126 attached to each foot end 236. Although the handle 104 is illustrated in at least FIGS. 1-3 as having two legs 128, one skilled in the art would understand from the description herein that handle 104 may have a plurality of legs 128, or alternatively, may be formed in unitary construction with grip portion 118 or another component of handle 104.

[0020] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, handle 104 includes at least an elongated grip portion 118 extending from a first end 118a to second end 118b. Additionally, or optionally, the grip portion 118 comprises, when the handle 104 is coupled to a container, such as container 102, an outer surface 136a facing outwardly away from the container 102, and an inner surface 136b facing inwardly toward the container 102.

[0021] Still further, handle 104 may include at least one leg 128 extending from the grip portion 118. In an exemplary embodiment, leg 128 extends from first end 118a and another leg 128 extends from second end 118b. Each of the one or more legs 128 may have a grip end 130 and a foot end 236 opposite the grip end 130. The handle 104 may also include a foot 126 attached to each foot end 236. In a non-limiting example, the grip portion 118 and one or more legs 128 together form a center spine wall 118c and the center spine wall 118c comprise a plurality of spaced openings or windows 118d.

[0022] Although the handle 104 is illustrated in at least FIGS. 1 to 5 as having two legs 128, one skilled in the art would understand from the description herein that handle 104 may have a plurality of legs 128, or alternatively, may be formed in unitary construction with grip portion 118 or another component of handle 104. Moreover, the one or more legs 128 of handle 104 are configured for mounting the handle 104 to an attachment surface, such as attachment surface 114 of container 102.

[0023] Elongated grip portion 118 has the general form of an arcuate I-beam, wherein the upper and lower gripping surfaces 136a and 136b respectively comprise the upper and lower flanges of the I-beam, and the center spine wall 118c forms the web of the I-beam. The center spine wall 118c varies in thickness along the length of the elongated grip portion 118, wherein the web is thinner in the center section 138 of the grip portion 118 and thicker at the ends 118a, 118b, where the grip portion 118 transitions to the legs 128. In the embodiment illustrated, center spine wall 118c transitions from a thinner thickness in center section 138 at bevel 140 as elongated grip portion 118 transitions to the legs 128. One skilled in the art would understand from the description herein that the transition of center spine 118c from a thinner region in the center of handle 104 to a thicker region nearer the legs 128 can take other forms than bevel 140, such as more abrupt shoulder, or a more gradual taper, with many variations possible. In addition, the transition region between the elongated grip portion 118 and the legs 128 is provided with reinforcing ribs 142 that minimize pockets, voids, and concavities in the surface of the handle where soil and other contamination can evade adequate cleaning.

[0024] Although the invention is illustrated and described herein with reference to specific embodiments, the invention is not intended to be limited to the details shown. Rather, various modifications may be made in the details within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims. Additionally, variations, changes and substitutions among the different embodiments discussed above may fall within the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the appended claims cover all such variations as fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.