U.S. patent application number 11/754635 was filed with the patent office on 2008-12-04 for collapsible handgrip.
Invention is credited to Dov Frishberg.
Application Number | 20080296250 11/754635 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40086937 |
Filed Date | 2008-12-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080296250 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Frishberg; Dov |
December 4, 2008 |
COLLAPSIBLE HANDGRIP
Abstract
A collapsible handgrip includes a center section and a plurality
of elongated members projecting from the center section. Each of
the elongated members has a first edge and a second edge opposite
the first edge. Moreover, each of the elongated members is
pivotable relative to the center section between a first position,
in which it extends from the center section in a first direction,
and a second position, in which it extends from the center section
in a second direction, the first direction being generally opposite
to the second direction. Each of the first edges of the elongated
members is in a substantially aligned and abutting relationship
relative to the second edge of an adjacent one of the elongated
members when the elongated members are pivoted to their first
positions so as to form a handgrip surface which extends
substantially continuously across the elongated members. The
handgrip can be used in conjunction with numerous implements, such
as covers, caps or lids for containers or bottles, instruments and
tools.
Inventors: |
Frishberg; Dov; (New York,
NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GREENBERG TRAURIG, LLP
200 PARK AVE., P.O. BOX 677
FLORHAM PARK
NJ
07932
US
|
Family ID: |
40086937 |
Appl. No.: |
11/754635 |
Filed: |
May 29, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
215/305 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 51/242 20130101;
B65D 51/32 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
215/305 |
International
Class: |
B65D 41/00 20060101
B65D041/00 |
Claims
1. A collapsible handgrip comprising a center section; and a
plurality of elongated members projecting from said center section,
each of said elongated members having a first edge and a second
edge opposite said first edge, each of said elongated members being
pivotable relative to said center section between a first position,
in which it extends from said center section in a first direction,
and a second position, in which it extends from said center section
in a second direction, said first direction being generally
opposite to said second direction, said first edge of each of said
elongated members being in a substantially aligned and abutting
relationship relative to said second edge of an adjacent one of
said elongated members when said elongated members are pivoted to
their said first positions so as to form a handgrip surface which
extends substantially continuously across said elongated
members.
2. The handgrip of claim 1, wherein said handgrip surface has a
generally egg-shaped configuration.
3. The handgrip of claim 2, wherein each of said elongated members
has a first end, which is located opposite said center section, a
second end, which is attached to said center section, and a portion
intermediate said first and second ends, said portions of said
elongated members bowing radially outwardly when said elongated
members are in their said first positions.
5. The handgrip of claim 4, wherein said first ends of said
elongated members are ganged up together in close proximity with
one another to define a first end of said egg-shaped configuration
when said elongated members are in their said first positions; and
wherein said second ends of said elongated members and said center
section define a second end of said egg-shaped configuration.
6. The handgrip of claim 5, wherein said portions of said elongated
members define an intermediate section of said egg-shaped
configuration, said intermediate section of said egg-shaped
configuration having a diameter which is substantially larger than
diameters of said egg-shaped configuration adjacent said first and
second ends.
7. The handgrip of claim 1, wherein each of said elongated members
includes a first end opposite said center section, each of said
first ends being curved so as to form a hook.
8. The handgrip of claim 7, further comprising a lanyard forming a
loop extending through said hooks of said elongated members for
securing said elongated members in their said first positions or
their said second positions.
9. The handgrip of claim 8, further comprising a fastener coupled
to said lanyard for releasably securing said loop.
10. The handgrip of said claim 1, further comprising an applicator
extending from said center section.
11. The handgrip of claim 10, wherein said applicator includes a
stem, which extends from said center section, and a brush, which is
attached to an end of said stem.
12. The handgrip of claim 1, wherein said central section includes
a cover for closing an open end of a container.
13. The handgrip of claim 12, wherein said cover includes an
internal threading for engaging an external threading provided on
the open end of the container.
14. A cover for a container, comprising a body for engaging the
cover and having a center section; and a plurality of elongated
members projecting from said center section, each of said elongated
members having a first edge and a second edge opposite said first
edge, each of said elongated members being pivotable relative to
said center section between a first position, in which it extends
from said center section in a first direction, and a second
position, in which it extends from said center section in a second
direction, said first direction being generally opposite to said
second direction, said first edge of each of said elongated members
being in a substantially aligned and abutting relationship relative
to said second edge of an adjacent one of said elongated members
when said elongated members are pivoted to their said first
positions so as to form a handgrip surface which extends
substantially continuously across said elongated members.
15. The cover of claim 14, wherein said handgrip surface has a
generally egg-shaped configuration.
16. The cover of claim 15, wherein each of said elongated members
has a first end, which is located opposite said center section, a
second end, which is attached to said center section, and a portion
intermediate said first and second ends, said portions of said
elongated members bowing radially outwardly when said elongated
members are in their said first positions.
17. The cover of claim 14, wherein each of said elongated members
includes a first end opposite said center section, each of said
first ends being curved so as to form a hook, said cover further
comprising a lanyard forming a loop extending through said hooks of
said elongated members for securing said elongated members in their
said first positions or their said second positions.
18. The handgrip of claim 17, further comprising a fastener coupled
to said lanyard for releasably securing said loop.
19. The cover of claim 14, further comprising an applicator
extending from said center section.
20. The cover of claim 14, wherein said elongated members project
upwardly from the container when they are in their said first
positions such that they can be gripped by a user in removing said
body from the container; and wherein said elongated members project
downwardly when they are in their said second positions such that
they lay at least partially against an upper portion of the
container.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to handgrips and, more
particularly, to a collapsible handgrip for various implements,
including bottle/container caps or covers, tools, instruments,
appliances, utensils and the like.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Foldable or collapsible handles have been available in the
past for facilitating use of various implements. For instance, U.S.
Pat. Nos. 5,078,291, 5,251,774 and 5,287,982 disclose handles
adapted for use in connection with caps, covers or lids for bottles
or containers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention provides a collapsible handgrip
including a center section and a plurality of elongated members
which project from the center section. Each of the elongated
members has a first edge and a second edge opposite the first edge.
Moreover, each of the elongated members is pivot able relative to
the center section between a first position, in which it extends
from the center section in a first direction, and a second
position, in which it extends from the center section in a second
direction, the first direction being generally opposite to the
second direction. Each of the first edges of the elongated members
is in a substantially aligned and abutting relationship relative to
the second edge of an adjacent one of the elongated members when
the elongated members are pivoted to their first positions so as to
form a handgrip surface which extends substantially continuously
across the elongated members. The handgrip can be used in
conjunction with numerous implements, such as covers, caps or lids
for containers or bottles, instruments and tools.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] For a better understanding of the present invention,
reference is made to the following detailed description of an
exemplary embodiment considered in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, in which:
[0005] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container cap constructed
in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, the container cap having a plurality of petals, which
are shown in their radially extending positions;
[0006] FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of the container cap shown in
FIG. 1;
[0007] FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the container cap shown in FIG.
1;
[0008] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view, taken along section line
4-4 and looking in the direction of the arrows, of the container
cap shown in FIG. 3;
[0009] FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 1, except that the petals
are oriented in their upwardly extending positions so as to form a
handgrip; and
[0010] FIG. 6 is perspective view of the container cap of FIG. 1
applied to a container, the petals being oriented in their
downwardly extending positions for storage purposes.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0011] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 6, there is shown a container
cap device 10 constructed in accordance with an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention. More particularly, the device
10 includes a cap 12 which is adapted to be applied in a
conventional manner to an open end of a container 14 (see FIG. 6)
for holding liquid within the container 14. The cap 12 includes an
internal threading 16 which is sized and shaped so as to mate with
an external threading (now shown) provided at or adjacent the open
end of the container 14 for removably securing the cap 12 to the
container 14. Alternatively, other conventional securing
mechanisms, such as friction fit mechanisms, etc., can be utilised
for removably attaching the cap 12 to the container 14.
[0012] With reference to FIGS. 1-4, the device 10 includes a
plurality of petals or elongated members 18 extending radially
outwardly from the cap 12. The petals 18 are formed integrally or
monolithically with the cap 12 (e.g., the petals 18 are molded with
the cap 12 as a single piece). Each of the petals 18 has an inner
end 20, which is connected to the cap 12, an outer end 22, which is
curled downwardly so as to form a hook 24, a middle portion 26,
which is located between the inner end 20 and the outer end 22, and
a pair of lateral edges 28. Moreover, the petals 18, each of which
is provided with inner and outer surfaces 30, 32, are spaced
substantially equally from each other in an angular direction. In
addition, each of the petals 18 is flexible such that it is movable
between its upwardly extending position (see FIG. 5), in which it
projects upwardly from the cap 12, and its downwardly extending
position (see FIG. 6), in which it projects downwardly from the cap
12. Accordingly, the petals 18 can foe positioned in their fully
expanded positions (see FIG. 1), in which they extend substantially
radially outwardly from the cap 12.
[0013] A lanyard 34 (see FIGS. 5 and 6) is laced through each of
the hooks 24 of the petals 18. The lanyard 34 has a fastener or
grommet 36 through which both ends 38 of the lanyard 34 are
threaded so as to adjustably secure the length of a loop 40 formed
by the lanyard 34 for retaining the petals 18 in their upwardly
extending positions or their downwardly extending positions. The
fastener 36 can be any type of conventional fastener which allows
quick-locking/release of the portions of the lanyard 34 extending
therethrough.
[0014] Now referring to FIGS. 1 and 4, the device 10 can also be
provided with an applicator 42 for use in applying liquid or other
materials (e.g., paint, a cleaning and/or disinfecting solution,
and other types of liquid or viscous materials) contained in the
container 14 onto a surface. The applicator 42 includes a stem 44
extending downwardly from the cap 12, as well as a sponge- or
felt-type brush 46 attached to an end of the stem 44.
Alternatively, other types of applicators, such as bristle-type
applicators, can be attached to the stem 44. The stem 44 is
provided with a sufficient length such that when the cap 12 is
properly applied to the container 14, the brush 46 is immersed in
the liquid or materials contained in the container 14 (see FIG.
6).
[0015] The device 10 can be molded in its entirety, with the
exception of the brush 46, from a suitable flexible material, such
as plastic. While any flexible materials can be used in making the
device 10, materials having some rigidity are preferred.
Alternatively, two or more sections of the device 10 can be made as
separate pieces and then attached together via conventional
means.
[0016] With reference to FIG. 6, when the petals 18 are moved or
collapsed to their downwardly extending positions, the petals 18
extend downwardly such that they lay at least partially against the
container 14. More particularly, the end 22 of the petals 18 are in
contact with the container 14. As a result, the petals 18 do not
extend significantly in a radially outward direction from the
container 18, thereby adding a negligible volume, if any, to the
overall volume of the container 18. In such circumstances, the
container 14 applied with the cap 12 can be stored away with the
petals 18 positioned in their downwardly extending positions.
Moreover, when the container 14 is made and shipped by a
manufacturer together with the cap 12, the petals 18 can be
positioned in their downwardly extending positions so as to
minimise the overall shipping volume of the container 14. The
petals 18 can be retained in their downwardly extending positions
by pulling the ends 38 of the lanyard 34 through the fastener 36
and then securing the adjusted loop 40 of the lanyard 34 with the
fastener 36.
[0017] Referring now to FIG. 5, when the cap 12 needs to be
detached from the container 14, the petals 18 are moved to their
upwardly extending positions such that they extend upwardly from
the container 14. In these positions, the ends 22 of the petals 18
are brought or ganged up together in close proximity with one
another. The petals 18 are sized and shaped such that each of the
edges 28 of the petals 18 is aligned and abut an adjacent one of
the edges 28 of the petals 18 substantially along its entire
length. As a result, the petals 18 cooperate to form a handgrip 48
for a user to grip for removing the device 10 from the container 14
and/or for manipulating the applicator 42. When formed in this
manner, the handgrip 48 is provided with a substantially continuous
gripping surface extending substantially entirely across the petals
18. Moreover, due to some rigidity of the petals 18, the middle
portions 26 bow outwardly (i.e., the diameter of the section of the
handgrip 48 defined by the middle portions 26 of the petals 18 is
larger than diameters of the handgrip 48 adjacent its opposite
ends), thereby providing the handgrip 48 with a generally oval or
egg-like shape and hence increasing the overall gripping surface of
the handgrip 48. The enlarged gripping surface of the handgrip 48
make it easier for a user to grip and apply force or torque to the
cap 12 and to thereby remove the cap 12 from the container 14.
[0018] It should be noted that the present invention can have
numerous modifications and variations. For instance, the present
invention may be used in conjunction with many other types of
containers, such as bottles, jars, etc. In addition, the present
invention may be utilized in conjunction with other types of
devices, such as tools (e.g., screwdrivers, paint brushes, etc.).
In such circumstances, the cap 12 may be eliminated from the device
10. Moreover, the stem 44 and the brush 46 may be removed from the
device 10. The number and shape of the petals 18 can also be
varied.
[0019] It will be understood that the embodiment described herein
is merely exemplary and that a person skilled in the art may make
many variations and modifications without departing from the spirit
and scope of the invention. All such variations and modifications,
including those discussed above, are intended to be included within
the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
* * * * *