U.S. patent number RE37,518 [Application Number 08/962,111] was granted by the patent office on 2002-01-22 for lightweight handle.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Hardigg Industries, Inc.. Invention is credited to Rene R. Aponte, James S. Hardigg.
United States Patent |
RE37,518 |
Hardigg , et al. |
January 22, 2002 |
Lightweight handle
Abstract
Disclosed is a light weight handle assembly adapted to transport
a heavy duty container which may contain sensitive electronic
components. The handle assembly of the present invention generally
comprises a stationary bracket which mounts to a container wall and
a movable handle pivotally connected to the bracket. The bracket is
formed with an inner portion that is adapted to rotatably engage
with a pair of pivoting arms extending from the movable handle so
that the light weight handle may easily be assembled and
disassembled. The stationary bracket is also formed with two
stationary stop members while each of the pivoting arms are formed
with a corresponding movable stop member. The stationary stop
members and movable stop members each have a substantially planar
contact surface which are designed such that when the movable
handle is pivoted to the lifting/operative position, the movable
stop members are in contact with the stationary stop members with
less stress in the materials than in conventional handles. The
lower stresses enable a strong handle to be made of plastic
material such as polyethylene.
Inventors: |
Hardigg; James S. (Conway,
MA), Aponte; Rene R. (Chicopee, MA) |
Assignee: |
Hardigg Industries, Inc. (South
Deerfield, MA)
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Family
ID: |
22556872 |
Appl.
No.: |
08/962,111 |
Filed: |
October 31, 1997 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
Reissue of: |
155806 |
Nov 23, 1993 |
05461755 |
Oct 31, 1995 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
16/438; 16/444;
220/759; 220/763; 220/765 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45C
13/26 (20130101); B65D 25/2841 (20130101); B65D
2525/288 (20130101); Y10T 16/50 (20150115); Y10T
16/513 (20150115) |
Current International
Class: |
B65D
25/28 (20060101); B65D 025/28 () |
Field of
Search: |
;16/112,126,438,425,445,439,424 ;220/759,763,765,766 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Knight; Anthony
Attorney, Agent or Firm: McCormick, Paulding & Huber
LLP
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A handle assembly disposed on a container wall for lifting and
transporting said container, the handle assembly comprising:
a stationary bracket member affixed to the container wall, said
bracket member having inner and outer portions;
a movable handle member comprising a hand grip portion and first
and second arms extending from said hand grip portion, each of said
first and second arms including an outer portion and a pivot
portion substantially parallel to said hand grip portion, each of
said pivot portions being rotatable within said inner portion of
said stationary bracket member so that said movable handle member
may be pivoted between a first position and a second position;
first and second stationary stop members disposed on the outer
portion of said stationary bracket member; .[.and.].
first and second movable stop members disposed on the outer portion
of said first and second arms of said movable handle;
each of said stationary stop members and movable stop members
having a substantially planar contact surface which come into
contact when said movable handle is pivoted from its first position
to its second position so as to limit said pivotal movement of said
movable handle; .Iadd.and .Iaddend.
said planar contact surfaces of said movable handle and said
stationary bracket being disposed at an angle of about 45 degrees
with respect to the container wall when in contact with one another
whereby said movable handle is positioned .Iadd.such that said arms
thereof are at an angle of .Iaddend.approximately 90 degrees with
respect to said container wall.
2. The handle assembly of claim 1, wherein said inner portion of
said stationary bracket member includes first and second retainer
members for retaining said first and second pivot portions of said
movable handle member.
3. The handle assembly of claim 1, wherein said each of said pivot
portions of said movable handle member further includes a
cylindrical portion adapted to rotate within said inner portion of
said stationary bracket member.
4. .[.The handle assembly of claim 3,.]. .Iadd.A handle assembly
disposed on a container wall for lifting and transporting said
container, the handle assembly comprising:
a stationary bracket member affixed to the container wall, said
bracket member having inner and outer portions;
a movable handle member comprising a hand grip portion and first
and second arms extending from said hand grip portion, each of said
first and second arms including an outer portion and a pivot
portion substantially parallel to said hand grip portion, each of
said pivot portions being rotatable within said inner portion of
said stationary bracket member so that said movable handle member
may be pivoted between a first position and a second position;
first and second stationary stop members disposed on the outer
portion of said stationary bracket member;
first and second movable stop members disposed on the outer portion
of said first and second arms of said movable handle;
each of said stationary stop members and movable stop members
having a substantially planar contact surface which come into
contact when said movable handle is pivoted from its first position
to its second position so as to limit said pivotal movement of said
movable handle;
said planar contact surfaces of said movable handle and said
stationary bracket being disposed at an angle of about 45 degrees
with respect to the container wall when in contact with one another
whereby said movable handle is positioned such that said arms
thereof are at an angle of approximately 90 degrees with respect to
said container wall;
wherein said each of said pivot portions of said movable handle
member further includes a cylindrical portion adapted to rotate
within said inner portion of said stationary bracket member;
and.Iaddend.
wherein each of said pivot portions of said movable handle member
further include.Iadd.s .Iaddend.a flange portion extending
outwardly from said cylindrical portion so as to limit the axial
movement of said pivot portion within said inner portion of said
stationary bracket member.
5. The handle assembly of claim 4, wherein said first pivot portion
further includes a spring support member axially disposed with said
cylindrical portion and a torsion spring member disposed thereon,
said spring support member having a spring attachment portion for
securing one end of said torsion spring, said other end of said
torsion spring being attached to said stationery bracket
member.
6. The handle assembly of claim 5, wherein said inner portion of
said stationary bracket member comprises a first cavity for
rotatably receiving said first pivot portion of said first arm and
a second cavity for rotatably receiving said second pivot portion
of said second arm, said first retainer member being disposed in
said first cavity and said second retainer being disposed in said
second cavity.
7. The handle assembly of claim 6, wherein said inner portion of
said stationary bracket member further includes a third cavity for
receiving said flange portion of said first pivot portion of said
first arm and a fourth cavity for receiving said flange portion of
said second pivot portion of said second arm..Iadd.
8. A handle assembly for lifting a container and constructed to
reduce stress in the handle assembly, comprising:
a) stationary stop members connected with said container;
b) a bracket having an axial opening, said bracket being mountable
on a wall of said container;
c) a hand grip assembly including a hand grip portion and two
extension portions extending from both ends of said hand grip
portion, said two extension portions each extending generally
perpendicularly to said hand grip portion and in the same direction
as one another, said two extension portions each having stop
members thereon, said portions being adapted to simultaneously
engage said bracket in a hinged relationship such that said hand
grip assembly is pivotable from an inoperative position to an
operative position wherein said stop members upon said two
extensions contact said stationary stop members on said container
at about a 45.degree. angle to said wall upon which said handle
assembly is mounted and said extension portions are at an angle of
approximately 90 degrees to said container wall..Iaddend..Iadd.
9. A handle assembly as claimed in claim 8 wherein when said handle
assembly is unattached to said container, said hand grip assembly
is disengageable from said bracket..Iaddend..Iadd.
10. A handle assembly disposed on a container wall for lifting and
transporting said container, the handle assembly comprising:
a stationary bracket member affixed to the container wall, said
bracket member having inner and outer portions;
a movable handle member comprising a hand grip portion and first
and second arms extending from said hand grip portion, each of said
first and second arms including an outer portion and a pivot
portion substantially parallel to said hand grip portion, each of
said pivot portions being rotatable within said inner portion of
said stationary bracket member so that said movable handle member
may be pivoted between a first position and a second position;
first and second stationary stop members located to be contacted by
first and second movable stop members disposed on the outer portion
of said first and second arms of said movable handle;
each of said stationary stop members and movable stop members
having a substantially planar contact surface which come into
contact when said movable handle is pivoted from its first position
to its second position so as to limit said pivotal movement of said
movable handle;
said planar contact surfaces of said movable handle and said
stationary stop members being disposed at an angle of about 45
degrees with respect to the container wall when in contact with one
another whereby said movable handle is positioned such that said
arms thereof are at an angle of approximately 90 degrees with
respect to said container wall..Iaddend..Iadd.
11. A handle assembly disposed on a container wall for lifting and
transporting said container, the handle assembly comprising:
a stationary bracket member affixed to the container wall, said
bracket member having inner and outer portions;
a movable handle member comprising a hand grip portion and first
and second arms extending from said hand grip portion, each of said
first and second arms including an outer portion and a pivot
portion substantially parallel to said hand grip portion, each of
said pivot portions being rotatable within said inner portion of
said stationary bracket member so that said movable handle member
may be pivoted between a first position and a second position;
first and second stationary stop members on said container;
first and second movable stop members disposed on the outer portion
of said first and second arms of said movable handle;
each of said stationary stop members and movable stop members
having a substantially planar contact surface which come into
contact when said movable handle is pivoted from its first position
to its second position so as to limit said pivotal movement of said
movable handle, said planar contact surfaces of said movable handle
and stationary stop members being disposed at an angle of about 45
degrees with respect to the container wall when in contact with one
another whereby said movable handle is positioned such that said
arms thereof are at an angle of approximately 90 degrees with
respect to said container wall; and
said bracket and said moveable handle being substantially hollowed
in predetermined locations whereby weight and material are reduced
and strength is maintained..Iaddend.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to handles and more
particularly to lightweight handles for lifting and transporting
heavy-duty containers.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The use of handles for lifting and transporting various objects is
well known. For certain applications, it is desirable to use a
handle that is light in weight, yet provides a stable and durable
mechanism for lifting heavy objects. This is particularly true in
the case of roto-molded plastic containers which are designed for
the transport and handling of instruments and electronic equipment
in hazardous environments such as those typically found in
military, geophysical and news service applications.
In the above application, the weight and size of loaded containers
necessitate that two or more handles be distributed about the
outside of the containers. Said handles are normally required to
lie flat against the sides of the containers when not in use. When
the container is being carried by the handles, however, the handles
are required to stop with their bales perpendicular to the
container wall so that the fingers of people lifting the container
are not compressed between the handle bales and the walls of the
container. Such a handle needs to be capable of lifting heavy-duty
containers in the normal upward direction while experiencing heavy
side loads and outward pulls. It is also desirable that the handle
be capable of quick assembly during commercial production and/or
disassembly to replace parts at the customer's site.
A handle developed by the applicants of the present invention is
shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,012,533. Handles of this type, although
providing the required strength with less weight than prior
conventional handles, are not without their drawbacks. First, the
metal bale requires precise bending in two directions and must be
heat-treated. For strength and economy, high carbon steel is used
which must be plated. Finally, as many as twelve parts must be
assembled to make the final handle. Although the performance of
such handles is good and achieved at low weight, the cost of
manufacture is relatively high.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One object of the present invention is to provide a handle assembly
which substantially eliminates any relative movement between the
handle and the container during transportation.
A second object of the present invention is to provide a handle
assembly that is easy to assemble and disassemble thereby
increasing production efficiency.
A third object of the present invention is to provide a strong,
light handle that will not corrode nor be weakened by chemical
attack.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a handle
which is more durable and reliable thereby increasing the effective
life span of the handle.
The above objects are realized by the present invention which is a
light weight handle assembly adapted so that a user can stably lift
and transport a heavy-duty container. In one embodiment, the handle
assembly generally comprises a stationary bracket that mounts to a
container wall and a movable handle which is pivotally connected to
the bracket. In operation, when the stationary bracket is attached
to the container wall, the movable handle may be pivoted between an
inoperative position and an operative position. When the stationary
bracket is removed or unattached from the container wall, the
movable handle may be pivoted to a disengaged position where it may
be easily assembled to or unassembled from the stationary bracket.
This latter feature provides a handle assembly that is compatible
with high production environments and which can be manufactured
from a small amount of components.
The stationary bracket is also formed with two stationary stop
members. Similarly, the movable handle is formed with two movable
stop members. The stationary and movable stop members have
substantially planar contact surfaces that are adapted so that when
the movable handle is pivoted to its operative position, the
movable stop members are in substantial stable contact with the
stationary stop members.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The following detailed description will become better understood
with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a front view showing the light weight handle assembly of
the present invention mounted to a container;
FIG. 2 is a top view of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a rear view of the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a side view showing the light weight handle assembly of
the present invention in an inoperative position;
FIG. 6 is a side view showing the light weight handle assembly of
the present invention in an operative position;
FIG. 7 is a side view showing the light weight handle assembly of
the present invention in a disengaged position;
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the movable handle of the present
invention;
FIG. 9 is a cross-section view taken along line 9--9 of FIG. 4;
FIG. 10 is a cross-section view taken along line 10--10 of FIG.
4;
FIG. 11 is a cross-section view taken along line 11--11 of FIG. 4
showing a view of the spring attachment portion of the present
invention; and,
FIG. 12 is a rear perspective view of the stationary bracket.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to FIG. 1, the light weight handle assembly 10 according
to the present invention is shown. The handle assembly 10 generally
comprises a stationary bracket 12 mounted to a container wall 14
which may be a wall of a roto-molded container or any other
container used to carry objects such as sensitive electronic
equipment. The handle assembly 10 further comprises a movable
handle 16 which is pivotally connected to the stationary bracket
12. When the stationary bracket 12 is connected to the container
wall 14, the movable handle 16 may be pivoted between an
inoperative position (FIG. 5) and an operative position (FIG. 6).
When the stationary bracket 12 is not attached to or is removed
from the container wall 14, the movable handle 16 may be pivoted to
a disengaged position (FIG. 7) wherein the movable handle 16 may be
easily assembled to or disassembled from the stationary bracket 12.
This feature of the present invention allows the handle assembly 10
to be quickly assembled, thereby increasing production
efficiency.
To stabilize the handle assembly 10 while the container is being
carried by the handle, the stationary bracket 12 is provided with
stationary stop members 18 and 20 while the movable handle 16 is
provided with movable stop members 22 and 24. The movable stop
members 22 and 24 and the stationary stop members 18 and 20 are
adapted to engage with each other to thereby limit the pivotal
movement of the movable handle 16 between its inoperative position
(FIG. 5) and its operative position (FIG. 6). As will be described
more fully herein, both the stationary stop members 18 and 20 and
the movable stop members 22 and 24 are provided with substantially
planar contact surfaces which increases the effective contact area
and reduces the compressive stress in the stop members.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 8, the movable handle 16 comprises a hand
gripping portion 26 adapted to be comfortably grasped by a user's
hand. The movable handle 16 further comprises a pair of pivoting
arms 28 and 30 that extend from the hand gripping portion 26 and
which are generally parallel to each other. As best shown by FIGS.
4 and 8, the movable handle 16 further comprises rotating pivot
portions 32 and 34 which extend from the distal end of the pivoting
arms 28 and 30, respectively and which are generally disposed
parallel to the hand gripping portion 26.
With reference to FIG. 8, the rotating pivot portions 32 and 34
comprise cylindrical portions 36 and 38, respectively, which are
adapted to freely rotate within a corresponding cylindrical shaped
cavity portions 40 and 42 extending inward from a rear surface 44
of the stationary bracket 12. Cylindrical portions 36 and 38 are
captured within the first and second cavity portions 40 and 42 by
means of a retainer 48 formed at the upper portion of the cavity
portions 40 and 42. When the movable handle 16 is in its operative
position (FIG. 6), the cylindrical portions 36 and 38 are in
bearing contact with their corresponding cavity portions 40 and
42.
With continued reference to FIG. 8, each of the rotating pivot
portions 32 and 34 further comprise a key-way or recess 46 which is
adapted such that when the movable handle 16 is pivoted to its
disengaged position (FIG. 7), the key-ways 46 are in substantial
alignment with the retainers 48. In this disengaged position, the
cylindrical portions 36 and 38 of rotating pivot portions 32 and 34
may be easily assembled to or disassembled from cavity portions 40
and 42 of the stationary bracket 12.
Still referring to FIG. 8, each of the rotating pivot portions 32
and 34 further comprise a semi-circular shaped flange portion 50
protruding from respective ends of the cylindrical portions 36 and
38 which are adapted to freely rotate within corresponding
cylindrical shaped cavity portions 52 which extend inward from the
rear surface 44 of the stationary bracket 12. When the flange
portions 50 are disposed within the cavity portions 52, the axial
movement of the cylindrical portions 36 and 38 and therefore the
movable member is limited.
The rotating pivot portion 34 further comprises a spring support
portion 56 disposed adjacent to and extending from the cylindrical
portion 38. The spring support portion 56 is of generally
cylindrical shape and is adapted to receive a torsion spring 58
(FIG. 4). The spring support portion 56 is rotatable within a
spring attachment cavity portion 60 extending inward from the rear
surface 44 of the stationary bracket 12. The spring support portion
56 comprises a groove 62 that is adapted to secure one end of the
torsion spring 58. The other end of the torsion spring 58 is
secured within a channel 64 formed adjacent to the cavity portion
60.
The stationary stop members 18 and 20 are formed on an outside
portion 66 of the stationary bracket 12 while the movable stop
members 22 and 24 are formed on an outside portion 68 of the
pivoting arms 28 and 30. As best shown by FIGS. 5 and 7, the
stationary stop members 18 and 20 are each formed with a
substantially planar contact surface 70 which is off-set an angle a
to the container wall 14 and/or the rear surface 44 of the
stationary bracket 12. In the preferred embodiment, the angle a is
about 45 degrees. Similarly, and as best shown by FIG. 7, the
movable stop members 22 and 24 are each formed with a substantially
planar contact surface 72 which is off-set an angle b from a top
surface 74 of the pivoting arms 28 and 30. In the preferred
embodiment, the angle b is about 45 degrees. In operation, when the
movable handle 16 is pivoted from its inoperative position (FIG. 5)
to its operative/lifting position (FIG. 6), the movable stop
members 22 and 24 are brought into substantial contact with the
stationary stop members 18 and 20. As such, the pivotal movement of
the movable handle 16 between its inoperative position (FIG. 5) and
its operative position (FIG. 6) is about 90 degrees. Furthermore,
the planar contour of the contact surfaces reduces the relative
movement between the movable handle 16 and the container. The
surface area of the contact surfaces 70 and 72 is defined by a
length l and a width w. This contact surface area provides for
increased stability of the handle assembly 10 when the movable
handle 16 is pivoted to its operative/lifting position (FIG. 6) by
reducing the shear forces and relative movement between the movable
handle 16 and the container.
As best shown by FIG. 12, the stationary bracket 12 also comprises
a plurality of mounting lugs or bosses 82 disposed on the rear
surface 44. In the preferred embodiment, the mounting lugs or
bosses 82 extend from the rear surface 44 and provide shear
strength between the bracket 12 and the container wall 14. In this
regard, the hand gripping portion 26 of the movable handle 16 may
be upwardly displaced an angle c from a bottom surface 86 of the
pivoting arms 28 and 30 to thereby facilitate initial grasping of
the hand gripping portion 26. In the preferred embodiment, the
angle c is about 10 degrees. The mounting lugs 82 may further
comprise openings 84 adapted to receive a suitable fastener such as
a self-tapping screw and the like. Such fasteners are loaded in
tension only, and sealing against air passage is accomplished by
the employment of rubber-faced washers under the heads of the
fasteners.
The stress-lowering improvements of the handle of the present
invention may best be demonstrated with reference to FIG. 6. As
shown, the handle 16 is placed in its operative/lifting position by
an upward force F.sub.L applied to the hand gripping portion 26. As
said handle 16 has two pivoting arms 28, the upward force on each
arm 28 is F.sub.L /2. Upward rotation beyond 90.degree. is
prevented by a compressive stop force F.sub.s in the contact area
between the movable and stationary stop members 22 and 24 and 18
and 20 respectively, and a shear force in the pivot F.sub.p. For a
specific magnitude of F.sub.L, the stop force F.sub.s is inversely
proportional to the moment arm J. Thus, to minimize F.sub.s, the
moment arm J must be as large as possible. This is controlled by
the thickness t of the bracket 12 and the diameter of the pivot
portions 32 and 34. When the thickness of the bracket 12 and the
handle 16 are approximately the same, the moment arm J will be
maximized when the angle of the plane between the axis of the pivot
portions 32 and 34 and the stop areas 18, 20, 22 and 24 is
45.degree. relative to the horizontal. In the preferred embodiment
where said angle is 45.degree., said moment arm J is approximately
1.5 times greater than when contact between the movable stop
members and stationary stop members is horizontal. Thus, for the
same lifting force F.sub.L, the compressive stress in the stop
member area of the handle 16 is approximately 33% less. This
stress-lowering improvement in the handle 16 makes it possible to
produce said handle from polyethylene and the like.
As will be clear to those skilled in the art, a change in the ratio
of bracket thickness to handle thickness will dictate a change in
the angle for maximizing the moment arm J.
The stationary bracket 12 and the movable handle 16 may be made
from a variety of materials, including but not limited to,
polyethylene or any high strength thermoplastic material. To
realize additional weight reduction and to reduce material costs
and molding time, material from the stationary bracket 12 and the
movable handle 16 may removed in various places without
significantly reducing the load/strength requirements of the
components. By way of example only, the pivoting arms 28 and 30 may
be formed with cut-outs 76 (FIG. 5) which eliminate a large amount
of material and ribs 78 may be formed to maintain the strength
requirements. Similarly, the hand gripping portion 26 may be formed
with a hollow inner portion 80 thereby also reducing a significant
amount of material.
Except for the torsion spring 58 and mounting bolts (not shown),
all of features of the handle assembly 10 heretofore described are
formed integral to either the stationary bracket 12 or the movable
handle 16. This feature provides a handle assembly 10 that is
compatible with high production environments and which is reliable
and durable. The stationary bracket 12 and the movable handle 16
may be manufactured by conventional molding processes suitable for
use with thermoplastic materials.
The foregoing description is intended primarily for purposes of
illustration. This invention may be embodied in other forms or
carried out in other ways without departing from the spirit or
scope of the invention. Modifications and variations still falling
within the spirit or the scope of the invention will be readily
apparent to those of skill in the art.
* * * * *