Patent ID: 7387324
Filing Date: 2008-06-17
Classification: A45F,Y10T

Abstract:
1. An ergonomic handle that may be used to carry filled plastic shopping bags and grocery baskets more comfortably and may be stored conveniently, comprising: an elongated, substantially tubular structure ( at least one multipurpose primary connector, said connector comprising a permanently closed loop elastic band; said band having a substantially circular or oval shape in its original, relaxed state; said band being any size between ¼″ and 8″ long; said band being made of, or including rubber or a similar rubber-like material, or having a rubber-band like construction; such that said band is able to be easily manually expanded to increase its circumference a significant amount, and such that when this manual pressure is released, said band will automatically contract to substantially regain its prior size and shape; the inherent resiliency of the materials and/or construction allowing said band to be so expanded and contracted numerous times; said resiliency allowing said band to be stored on said tubular structure very compactly, by being expanded around and contracting to fit snugly around said material of said tubular structure; said band being easy to attach to said handle and/or other objects for storage; said band being easy to detach from said handle and/or other objects; and whereby said elastic band can provide all of the following possible uses, though not necessarily simultaneously: to help the handle from rotating on the bag loops, to keep the handle in its proper orientation; to align all the bag loops to form a single opening, this single opening making it quicker and easier to pick up the handle; to temporarily close the necks of the bags, to prevent items from coming out of the bags unintentionally, as might occur if the bags tip over; to reduce air pockets in the bags, which will help prevent items within the bags from moving around in the bags, which should reduce breakage or damage of fragile items; to provide a quick and easy way to attach the handle to and detach the handle from a key ring or various other objects, for more versatility in carrying and storing the handle; to provide a quick and easy way to attach a key ring to and detach a key ring from a variety of other objects—for ease of carrying one's keys, for more secure storage of one's keys, and to make it easier to locate one's keys.