US20070130731A1

Movatterモバイル変換

Info

Publication number: US20070130731A1
Application number: US11/304,149
Authority: US
Inventors: Mohammad Hakami
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Pelican Products Inc
Priority date: 2005-12-14
Filing date: 2005-12-14
Publication date: 2007-06-14

Abstract

A case handle assembly comprising a case handle is disclosed. In particular embodiments, the case handle is attached to a lid and extends the length of the lid. The case handle may fit into a depth defined by a mounting area on the top of the lid so that the top of the case is flush. A locking mechanism may be utilized to lock the case handle to the lid.

Description

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The present disclosure relates to a case handle, and more particularly to a case handle assembly for protective cases.

2. General Background

Cases are often used for storing or shipping of materials. Many of these cases are set on wheels to facilitate moving of the case. Additionally, cases are often fitted with handles to help a user move the case.

Different case handle configurations are known. It is desirable to have a case handle that assists movement of a case. It is also desirable to have a case handle that fits into the case so that additional space is not occupied by the case handle.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides for an improved case handle assembly. The case handle assembly allows for other cases to be stacked on top of the case. A locking mechanism secures the handle to the case.

In another aspect, the case handle may be connected to the top of a lid of the case and may be utilized for the purpose of pulling or pushing the case. In particular embodiments, the case handle is the length of the lid to provide the most leverage for a user.

In another aspect, the case handle may be locked into place in the lid using a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism corresponds with a catch on top of the lid to lock the case handle to the lid.

In one aspect, the case handle is movable between a first position when the handle is located essentially wholly within the highpoint defined by a mounting area on top of the lid of the case and an extended second position. In exemplary embodiments, the top of the lid of the case becomes flush with the case handle is folded down. In other embodiments, such that in the first position the case handle doesn't essentially impair the stacking of a second case on the lid. This allows for stacking of additional mobile cases on top of the case.

In another aspect, the case handle is attached to the lid by a hinge. The hinge may be connected at the edge of the lid or close to the lid. A pivot pin enables the case handle may rotate about the hinge to enable a user to move the case.

DRAWINGS

The foregoing aspects and advantages of this invention will become more readily apparent and understood with reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 depicts a mobile protective case with a case handle in a folded down and locked position.

FIG. 2 depicts the mobile protective case with the case handle in an unfolded position.

FIG. 3 depicts the opposite view of the mobile protective case with the case handle in an unfolded position.

FIG. 4 depicts a front view of the case handle.

FIG. 5 depicts a close-up view of the hand grip and locking mechanism of the case handle.

FIG. 6 depicts a side view of the case handle.

FIG. 7 depicts a front view of the case handle in an unlocked configuration.

FIG. 8 depicts a close-up view of the handle-portion and locking mechanism of the case handle in an unlocked configuration.

FIG. 9 depicts a set of cases wherein a case is stacked on top of the second case, the case handle in the locked position on top of the case lid to enable stacking of the case.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a case handle assembly is provided. The case handle is set into the depth of a wall of the case, causing the wall to be approximately flat. The wall of the case could include the top or the side walls of the case. The case handle is locked into place on the case by setting into a depth created by a mounting base and utilizing a locking mechanism.

With reference toFIG. 1, there is depicted an exemplary embodiment of the mobileprotective case100, with a set ofremovable casters105,side handles110, and alid115 attached to thecase100 utilizinglatches120. In particular embodiment, thecase100 can be made from rigid materials, such as polymers, metals, or other composites.

With continued reference toFIG. 1, an exemplary embodiment of acase handle125 is depicted as locked and fitted into the area defining a mounting base on top of thelid115. In this embodiment, by fitting thehandle125 into depth created by themounting base205 on top of thelid115, the top of thecase110 is essentially flush, enabling other cases to be stacked on top of thecase110 when casters are removed. In other embodiments, thehandle125 such that in the first position thecase handle125 doesn't essentially impair the stacking of a second case on thelid115 or thehandle125 is located essentially wholly within the highpoint and themounting base205. As a result, shipment or storage of the cases is made more efficient through stacking of multiple cases.

In other embodiments, themounting base205 is located on a wall of thecase105. The wall can be any wall of the case including the side walls, the top walls or the bottom wall. In particular embodiments, the wall utilized for themounting base205 is the top wall. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the top wall is thelid115. In other embodiments, the side wall my be utilized as the storage for the handle.

Thehandle125 may be constructed from the same materials as thecase100. However, thecase handle125 may also be made from a different material from thecase100. For example, in alternative embodiments, thecase handle125 may be constructed from metals or a different rigid material while thecase100 is constructed from a rigid polymer.

Thecase handle125 is attached to thelid115 by apivot pin130. Thepivot pin130 enables thehandle125 to be rotated about thelid115. In a particular embodiment, thepivot pin130 connecting thelid115 to thecase handle125 is located at the edge of thelid115. Locating thepin130 at the edge of the lid enables thecase handle125 to be the length of thelid115. Utilizing the whole length of thelid115 allows the person moving the case to have more leverage to facilitate movement of thecase100 when the case is sitting oncasters105. However, thepin130 does not have to be placed exactly at the edge of thelid115. The pin may also located at various points of thelid115.

At the intersection between thelid115 and thecase handle125 is a heavy-duty hinge135. The heavy-duty hinge135 has interlocking members that allow for more heavy loads and pressure exerted by the user. The interlocking members of theheavy duty hinge135 also allow for more comfortable pivoting of the case handle125 about the surface. In particular embodiments, thehinge135 may be located at the edge of thelid115.

In other embodiments, thehinge135 may be located on the side of thelid115. In these embodiments, the case handle115 will include an additional side piece to correspond with the side of thelid115. In other embodiments, thehinge135 may be located away from the edge of thelid115. In this embodiment, the case handle125 is not the full length of thelid115. The case handle125 can rotate about thelid115 about 180 degrees.

Now with reference toFIG. 2 andFIG. 3, the case handle125 is shown rotated about thelid115. Thehandle125 is able to rotate to about270 degrees depending on how the individual moving thecase100 is situated. In other embodiments, thehandle125 rotates only about90 degrees about thelid115. In still other embodiments, thehandle125 rotates only about180 degrees about thelid115.

In a particular embodiment, an L-shapedcatch200 is located on the mountingbase205 on top of thelid115. Thelocking mechanism210 cooperates with the L-shapedcatch200 to lock the handle to thelid115. In exemplary embodiments, thecatch200 is connected to the mountingbase205 utilizing screws or similar attachment mechanisms. In other embodiments, thecatch200 can be molded onto the mountingbase205.

The mounting base further comprises anindention220. Theindention220 is located at the same point that thehand grip230 is located to enable a user of the assembly to be able to grip the handle when it is flush with thelid115.

The front view of the case handle is depicted inFIG. 4. The case handle125 includes ahand grip230 to enable the user to use the handle. The case handle125 further includes alocking mechanism210. In this embodiment, thelocking mechanism210 includes a hole to allow a user to grip thelocking mechanism220 to unlock the case handle125 from thelid115.

In exemplary embodiments, the case handle125 also includes a largeplanar section240 extending a substantial section of the length of the case handle125. Theplanar section125 provides more stability and strength to the case handle125 to allow for more pressure exerted by the user.

Additionally, the case handle125 may also include reinforcinggrooves245. The reinforcinggrooves245 provide more strength to the case handle125 and allow for more pressure to be exerted by the user and heavier loads to be moved.

With reference now toFIG. 5, a close-up view of thelocking mechanism210 andhand grip230. In a particular embodiment, thelocking mechanism210 comprises ahole220. Thehole220 corresponds with the L-shapedcatch200 located in thelid115 when thehandle125 is locked into place. Thelocking mechanism120 further comprises an L-shapedend225 to lock thehandle125 to the L-shapedcatch200 by cooperating the L-shapedend225 with the L-shapedcatch200.

FIG. 6 depicts a side view of the case handle125. The case handle125 is thin to enable the case handle to fit into a mounting base in the lid. The case handle includes ahand grip230 and alocking mechanism220. Thelocking mechanism220 has an L-shapedend225 to cooperate with thecatch200 in the lid. The case handle125 also includes ahole250 to connect thepivot pin130.

With reference now toFIG. 7 andFIG. 8, the locking mechanism of the case handle is shown in an unlocked configuration. In this particular embodiment, thelocking mechanism210 can be unlocked by sliding thelocking mechanism210 along the longitudinal axis of the case handle125. By sliding thelocking mechanism210, the L-shapedend225 of thelocking mechanism210 releases from the L-shapedcatch200 on the top of thelid115. The case handle115 can than be rotated about thelid115 to enable movement of the case.

In an exemplary embodiment, thelocking mechanism210 is spring-loaded. By spring-loading thelocking mechanism210, thelocking mechanism210 automatically returns to its original locked position as depicted inFIG. 5 andFIG. 6 after it has been moved down the longitudinal axis of the case handle115 to unlock the case handle125 from thelid115. Utilization of a spring-loadedlocking mechanism210 will ensure that the case handle125 remains locked to thelid115 when the case handle125 is not in use.

With reference now toFIG. 9, the placement of the case handle125 in the depth of the mountingbase205 on thelid115 of thecase105 allows a second case to be stacked on top of the first case. The case handle125 does not prohibit the stacking by protruding out from thelid115. In this particular embodiment, the case handle125 is flush with the top of thelid115 allowing the second case to sit across the top of thelid115 and the case handle125.

In other embodiments, the case handle125 does not sit flush with the top of thelid115. For example, thehandle125 maybe be in the first position such that the case handle125 doesn't essentially impair the stacking of a second case on thelid115 or thehandle125 is located essentially wholly within the highpoint and the mountingbase205.

While the above description contains many particulars, these should not be considered limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather a demonstration of embodiments thereof. The alloy composition, method for making and uses disclosed herein include any combination of the different species or embodiments disclosed. Accordingly, it is not intended that the scope of the invention in any way be limited by the above description. The various elements of the claims and claims themselves may be combined any combination, in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure, which includes the claims.

Claims

1. A case handle assembly for use with a protective case, the case having a receptacle body and a lid for the body, wherein:

the lid is attachable to the body of the case, the lid including a mounting base, the mounting base being located at a depth from a highpoint of the lid;

the assembly including a case handle movable between a first position when the handle is located essentially wholly within the highpoint and the mounting base and an extended second position, the case handle including a hand grip and a locking mechanism to lock the handle to the lid; and

a hinge including a pivot pin to connect the handle onto the lid and allowing the handle to rotate about the hinge.

2. The case handle assembly inclaim 1 wherein the hinge is located at the edge of the lid.

3. The case handle assembly inclaim 2 wherein the handle is length of the lid.

4. The case handle assembly inclaim 2 wherein the handle can rotate about the lid for about 270 degrees.

5. The case handle assembly inclaim 1 wherein the locking mechanism comprises a latch with an L-shaped end.

6. The case handle assembly inclaim 1 wherein the locking mechanism comprises a spring loaded latch.

7. The case handle assembly inclaim 1 wherein the lid further comprises a catch on the top of the lid.

8. The case handle assembly inclaim 7 wherein the locking mechanism cooperates with the catch to lock the case handle to the lid.

9. The case handle assembly inclaim 1 wherein the lid further comprises an indention located at a corresponding location to the hand grip.

10. The case handle assembly inclaim 1 wherein the case handle further comprises a planar section partially extending the length of the case handle.

11. The case handle assembly inclaim 1 wherein the case handle further comprises reinforcing grooves on the sides of the case handle extending the length of the case handle.

12. A case handle assembly for use with a protective case, the case having a receptacle body and a lid for the body, wherein:

a catch located on top of the mounting base;

the assembly including a case handle movable between a first position when the handle is located essentially flush with the highpoint and an extended second position, the case handle including a hand grip and a spring-loaded locking mechanism, the locking mechanism having an L-shaped end to cooperate with the catch on top of the mounting base to lock the case handle to the mounting base; and

a pivot pin to connect the handle onto a edge of the lid and allowing the handle to rotate about the edge of the lid.

13. The case handle assemblyclaim 12 wherein the handle is length of the lid.

14. The case handle assembly inclaim 12 wherein the handle can rotate about the lid for about 270 degrees.

15. A case handle assembly for use with a protective case, the case having a receptacle body, wherein:

a wall of the case including a mounting base, the mounting base being located at a depth from a highpoint of the wall;

the assembly including a case handle movable between a first position and an extended second position such that in the first position the case handle doesn't essentially impair the stacking of a second case on the lid, wherein the second case has an underside configuration formed for mating with the handle and lid when the handle is in the first position, the case handle including a hand grip and a locking mechanism to lock the handle to the lid; and

a hinge including a pivot pin to connect the handle onto the wall and allowing the handle to rotate about the hinge.

16. The case handle assemblyclaim 15 wherein the handle is length of the wall.

17. The case handle assembly inclaim 15 wherein the handle can rotate about the wall for about 270 degrees.

18. The case handle assembly inclaim 15 wherein the locking mechanism comprises a latch with an L-shaped end.

19. The case handle assembly inclaim 15 wherein the locking mechanism comprises a spring loaded latch.

20. The case handle assembly inclaim 15 wherein the lid further comprises a catch on the wall.

21. The case handle assembly inclaim 15 wherein the locking mechanism cooperates with the catch to lock the case handle to the wall.

22. The case handle assembly inclaim 15 wherein the wall further comprises an indention located at a corresponding location to the hand grip.

23. The case handle assembly inclaim 15 wherein the case handle further comprises a planar section partially extending the length of the case handle.

24. The case handle assembly inclaim 15 wherein the case handle further comprises reinforcing grooves on the sides of the case handle extending the length of the case handle.

25. The case handle assembly inclaim 15 wherein the wall is a side wall of the case.

26. The case handle assembly inclaim 15 wherein the wall is a top wall of the case, the top wall being a lid attachable to the receptacle body.

27. A protective case comprising:

a receptacle body;

a lid attachable to the body of the case, the lid including a mounting base, the mounting base being located at a depth from a highpoint of the lid;

a case handle movable between a first position when the handle is located essentially wholly within the highpoint and the mounting base and an extended second position, the case handle including a hand grip and a locking mechanism to lock the handle to the lid; and

28. A stackable set of cases comprising:

a plurality of receptacle bodies;

a plurality of lids attachable to the body of the case, a lid including a mounting base, the mounting base being located at a depth from a highpoint of the lid, the lid including a case handle;

the case handle movable between a first position when the handle is located essentially wholly within the highpoint and the mounting base and an extended second position to allow for stacking of a second case, wherein the second case has an underside configuration formed for mating with the handle and lid when the handle is in the first position, the case handle including a hand grip and a locking mechanism to lock the handle to the lid; and