US2967071A - Handle clamp - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 3, 1961 v. JJDESCHENE 2,967,071

HANDLE CLAMP Filed June 9, 1958 9 BY @f/INZIjJTOR.

ATTORNEY United States Patent HANDLE 'CLAlVIP Victor J. Deschene, San Diego, Calif. (799 Vista Grande, .Los Altos, .Calif.)

Filed June 9, 19 58, Ser. No. 740,786 4 Claims. (Cl. 294-311) invention relates to handles and more particularly to handle clamps which may be fitted over thermos bottles, cans, glass and metal containers and other articles of general cylindrical shape which have not heretofore been provided with a handle by which it may be moved or carried.

There are many articles which are bulky or clumsy to carry or use which are not provided with a handle when purchased. The user of the article often finds it desirable to provide the article with a handle to thereby increase its utility and to make its use more easy and convenient. For example, a can or bottle may be used and a thermos bottle may be more easily carried with a handle attached thereto.

Handles heretofore have been provided for attachment to such articles. However, these handles have consisted of several parts such as article engaging bands and handles connected thereto by means of rivets, screws, bolts or other fastening means. These are unsightly and tend to break apart or become separated in use. It is also well known that the greater the number of parts, the greater the cost of fabrication and assembly.

The handle clamp comprising the present invention consists of a unitary strip of material which forms a band around the article and thence continues into a handle portion having twists and loops which provide maximum strength and rigidity. The handle clamp may be attached to the article without modification thereof or damage thereto and locked securely in place in a simple manner without special instruments or equipment.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide for a novel handle clamp for adaptation to cylindrical containers.

Another object is the provision of a handle clamp having a unitary strip of material forming a band and handle portion of loops and twists such that the ends thereof interlock to hold the handle clamp firmly in place.

Another object is the provision of a handle clamp of simple sturdy and inexpensive constmction, which is easy to install, pleasing in appearance and reliable in use.

Other objects and features of the present invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following specification and appended drawings wherein is illustrated a preferred form of the invention, and in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the handle clamp in unlocked position ready for assembly, and

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the handle in locked position.

Referring now to Figure 1 the handle clamp is formed from a strip of resilient spring-like material or a nonresilient material such as aluminum, for example. This clamp consists generally of a band portion 11 and a handle portion 12. The band portion 11 lies in a horizontal plane with its outer end 13 bent outwardly at 14 and somewhat rearwardly at tip 16 for a reason hereinafter to be made obvious. The band portion 11 is generally circular in configuration and of the proper circumuntil the loop extends downwardly at 24.

by 28 and thence upwardly at 29 "ice ference to be fitted in a secure manner around the article for which it is adapted. The inner surface 17 has a gummed paper backing 18 adhered thereto which frictionally engages the article circumvented thereby. The inner end 19 of the band portion 11 is bent outwardly at right angles to the normal of the band portion curve so as to be parallel to and in abutting alignment with the outer end 13 when assembled.

From inner end 19 of band portion 11 the strip extends and is formed into the handle portion 12. At a point spaced from the band portion in an amount equal to the band width the strip is given a half twist 21 so that the width of the strip is perpendicular to the axis of the article to be carried. After the half twist is completed outwardly at 22 from the horizontal portion 11. The handle portion then a continuous loop 23 Another half twist 26 is applied just above the junction of inner band end 19 and the handle portion 12. This provides a fiat surface 27 in parallel and abutting alignment with the inner and outer ends 19, 13 of the band portion 11 when assembled. At the lower edge of end 19 the strip is then bent under the lower edges of 19 and 13 as shown along the outer surface portion 11 and tip 16 the strip continues plane of the band loops upwardly and inwardly in of end 13 and between the band of the outer end 13. The upwardly extending portion 29 is thus parallel with surface 27 for snugly sandwiching the two ends of the band portion in between. The top 31 of portion 29 extends inwardly to prevent vertical dislodgement of end 13.

Figure 2 shows the handle clamp in assembled and locked position. If the strip is of springlike material the locking arrangement may be affected by prying surfaces 27, 29 apart and snapping end 13 in place. If the strip is of non-resilient material, crimping of the surfaces 27, 29 together again would be desirable.

When the handle clamp is installed it possesses amazing strength and durability which may be attributed, in part at least, to the twisting and bending arrangement which unites the band portion and handle portion and locks the ends together. In holding the article in upright position the vertical e'nd surfaces 13, 19 prevent upward movement of portion 24 and the half twist portion 21 prevents downward movement or the inward collapse of portion 22 which is extending outwardly in the plane of the band portion 11. Tip 16 and half twist 21 prevent outward withdrawal of surfaces 27, 29 and tip 31 and half twist 26 prevent their downward withdrawal.

While certain preferred embodiments of the invention have been specifically disclosed, it is understood that the invention is not limited thereto as many variations will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art and the invention is to be given its broadest possible interpretation within the terms of the following claims:

What I claim is:

1. A handle clamp for attachment to an object comprising a unitary striphaving a band portion of general configuration similar to the cross sectional periphery of said object and laying in a horizontal plane, an inner end of said band portion having an extension extending outouter end and thence upwardly to secure both said ends together.

2. A handle clamp for attachment to an object comprising a unitary strip having a band portion of general configuration similar to the cross sectional periphery of said object and lying in a horizontal plane, said portion having an outer end extending outwardly therefrom in an amount equal to the width of said strip, said band portion having an inner end bent outwardly and extending radially from the axis of said object and extending outwardly in an amount equal to the width of said strip and in parallel relationship with said outer end, said strip thereafter continuing with a half twist to position the surface of said strip forming said handle portion at right angles to the axis of said object, said handle portion including a loop with a second half twist to permit the surface of the further extension of said strip to be in parallel relationship with both said ends as said strip extends downwardly thereacross, said strip continuing downwardly below said plane and under both said ends and thence upwardly, said strip terminating in a short inward projection over the top surface of said outer end to thereby secure both said ends together.

3. A handle clamp for attachment to an upright object comprising a unitary strip having a band portion adapted to encircle said object to be carried thereby and lie in a horizontal plane, said band portion having an outer end bent outwardly to extend away from said object in an amount equal to the width of said strip and thence rearwardly at its tip, said band portion having a gummed paper backing on its inner surface adapted to contact said object, said band portion having an inner end with an extension extending outwardly in abutting parallel relation with said outer end in an amount equal to the width of said strip and thereafter having a half twist, a

handle portion extending from said half twist and forming a loop terminating in a second half twist and continuing downwardly in abutting relation with said outer end, said strip continuing below said plane and across the bottom edges of both said ends, thence upwardly across the outer surface of said outer end and terminating in an inwardly extending projection, at the top edge of said outer end to thereby secure both said ends together.

4. A handle clamp for attachment to an object to be carried thereby comprising a continuous strip around said object forming a band portion in a horizontal plane, said strip having a shorter outer end bent outwardly with the outer tip thereof extending rearwardly, said strip having an inner end bent outwardly, said inner end having an extension forming a half twist, a loop and a second half twist to form the handle portion, said strip passing between the first half twist and said band portion with said second half twist positioned above said outer end, said strip passing below said plane under both ends and up wardly against the outer surface of said outer end, said strip terminating in an inward projection across the top edge of said outer end to thereby secure both said ends together.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,375,783 Moineaux Apr. 16, 1921 1,502,242 French July 22, 1924 1,550,618 Kemp Aug. 18, 1925 1,795,615 Parran Mar. 10, 1931 2,249,144 Kleina July 15, 1941 2,314,252 Springborn Mar. 16, 1943 2,632,666 Cunningham Mar. 24, 1953 2,690,657 Milewski Oct. 5, 1954 UNITED STATES PA CERTIFICATE OF CO ERECTION January 3 1961 Patent No,

Victor JovDeschene d that error appears in the above numbered pats Patent should read as hereby certifie d that the said Letter It is ent requiring correction an corrected below,

Column 1 lines 16 and 27 for "thermos" I each occurrences read as vacuum o ptemher 1961:.

Signed and sealed this 19th day of Se (SEAL) Attest: v

DAVID L. LADD Commissioner of Patents ERNEST W. SWIDER Attesting Officer usooMM-Dc TENT OFFICE I

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