Abstract:
A two piece shopping package combination handle is disclosed. A first piece includes an elongated outer handle with a first slot running its full length. The second piece includes an elongated inner handle with a second slot running its full length. The outer dimension of the elongated inner handle is slightly less than the inner dimension of the elongated outer handle so that an outer surface of the elongated inner handle is juxtaposed along an inner surface of the elongated outer handle and the elongated inner handle is insertable and removable into and out of the elongated outer handle.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     This invention relates to the field of hand grips and more particularly to a hand grip for carrying shopping bags and packages, providing improved comfort.  
         [0003]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0004]     A problem exists in carrying shopping bags and the like, especially when carrying multiple bags for substantial distances such as when walking several blocks from a grocery store. The bags, especially plastic bags, have a handle area but, when held in the hand, the handle area tends to form more of a rope-like clump. This tends to cut into one&#39;s palm, making it uncomfortable to carry these bags, even for a short distance, let alone several blocks.  
         [0005]     Many handle grips are known in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,738,401 to Fan describes a myriad of handles. This patent is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Each of the handles in this patent has a top opening or slot, through which one or more handle parts of one or more bags are strung. The handle of this patent has a stiff inner material and a softer outer lining, thereby insulating the user&#39;s hands from the bag handles and providing a more comfortable grip. The inner lining is not removable, nor can it be rotated. Unfortunately, if the bags are set down, perhaps when the user stops for a rest, the bag handles often fall out of the top opening and they must be re-threaded before resuming travel. Furthermore, the disclosed handle works well for a single hand, but if the user has many bags or wants to balance their load, they must purchase two discrete handles, one for each hand.  
         [0006]     What is needed is a locking handle that can be converted into two handles when the need arises.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     In one embodiment, a two piece shopping package combination handle is disclosed including a hollow elongated outer handle with a first slot running its full length and having an inner dimension and including a hollow elongated inner handle with a second slot running its full length and having an outer dimension. The outer dimension of the hollow elongated inner handle is slightly less than the inner dimension of the hollow elongated outer handle so that an outer surface of the hollow elongated inner handle is juxtaposed along an inner surface of the hollow elongated outer handle and the hollow elongated inner handle is insertable and removable into and out of the hollow elongated outer handle.  
         [0008]     In another embodiment, a method for comfortably and conveniently carrying a plurality of shopping bags is disclosed including providing a two piece shopping package combination handle that has a hollow elongated outer handle with a first slot running its full length and having an inner dimension and a hollow elongated inner handle with a second slot running its full length and having an outer dimension. The outer dimension of the hollow elongated inner handle is slightly less than the inner dimension of the hollow elongated outer handle so that the hollow elongated inner handle is insertable and removable into and out of the hollow elongated outer handle. A plurality of shopping bags are strung through the first slot and through the second slot and then carried or held by placing a hand around the hollow elongated outer handle. In some embodiments, the shopping bags are locked in place by either rotating the hollow elongated inner handle with respect to the hollow elongated outer handle or the hollow elongated inner handle is removed from inside the hollow elongated outer handle and rotated 90 degrees, 180 degrees or 270 degrees, then replaced back within the hollow elongated outer handle, thereby closing the first slot, locking the shopping bags within the combined handle.  
         [0009]     In another embodiment, a two piece shopping package combination handle is disclosed including an outer handle with a first slot running its full length and having an inner dimension. There is an inner handle with a second slot running its full length and having an outer dimension. The outer dimension of the inner handle is slightly less than the inner dimension of the outer handle so that an outer surface of the inner handle is juxtaposed along an inner surface of the outer handle and the inner handle is insertable and removable into and out of the outer handle.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]     The invention can be best understood by those having ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:  
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a diagrammatic perspective view of the most preferred embodiment per se.  
         [0012]      FIG. 2  is a diagrammatic perspective view of the most preferred embodiment per se in a closed mode.  
         [0013]      FIG. 3  is an illustration of a variation of the handle of  FIG. 1  with a grip.  
         [0014]      FIG. 4  is an illustration of another variation.  
         [0015]      FIG. 5  is an illustration of the variation of the handle of  FIG. 4  in a closed mode.  
         [0016]      FIG. 6  is an illustration of another variation.  
         [0017]      FIG. 7  is an illustration of the variation of the handle of  FIG. 6  in a closed mode.  
         [0018]      FIG. 8  is an illustration of a variation of the handle of  FIG. 6  with a grip.  
         [0019]      FIG. 9  is an illustration of another variation.  
         [0020]      FIG. 10  is an illustration of the variation of the handle of  FIG. 9  in a closed mode.  
         [0021]      FIG. 11  is a diagrammatic perspective view illustrating the first embodiment of the present invention being used to carry several shopping bags by their handle.  
         [0022]      FIG. 12  is a diagrammatic perspective view illustrating the first embodiment of the present invention in a locked position being used to carry several shopping bags by their handle.  
         [0023]      FIG. 13   a/b/c  is an illustration of the handles of  FIG. 1  &amp;  FIG. 2  shown in combined mode and individual mode. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0024]     Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Throughout the following detailed description, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements in all figures. In all embodiments, the handles are preferably made of a stiff, sturdy and inflexible material such as plastic (nylon) or metal (steel). Although not shown in the drawings, it is known in the art to cover the outer handle with a soft material that cushions the hands while carrying shopping bags or packages.  
         [0025]     Referring to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , a diagrammatic perspective view of the most preferred embodiment is shown in an open mode and closed mode. The combined handle  10  consists of an outer handle  12  and an inner handle  14  that fits snuggly within the outer handle  12 . The outside diameter of the inner handle  14  is slightly less than the inside diameter of the outer handle  12 , thereby forming a tight fit so that the inner handle  14  can be inserted and removed from within the outer handle  12 . By having a tight fit, the handles  12 / 14  don&#39;t easily separate during use but can be separated without tools by a person applying force to the inner handle  14  while holding the outer handle  12 . The combined handle  10  is elongated and of size to fit comfortable in a person&#39;s hand. Both the inner handle  14  and the outer handle  12  are hollow. In the open mode ( FIG. 1 ), handles of bags or packages (not shown) are strung through the open slot  18  that runs lengthwise and runs the full length of both the inner handle  14  and the outer handle  12 . The handles of bags or packages rest within the hollow area of the inner handle  14 . To prevent the bags or package handles from falling out, the inner handle  14  is rotated with respect to the outer handle  12 , thereby closing the slot  18  with the body of the inner handle  14 .  
         [0026]     Referring to  FIG. 3 , a variation of the handle of  FIG. 1 / 2  with a grip  26  is shown. The combined handle  20  consists of an outer handle  22  and an inner handle  24  that fits snuggly within the outer handle  22 . In the open mode (not shown), the slots  27 / 28  are aligned so that handles of bags or packages (not shown) can be strung through the slots  27 / 28 . To prevent the bags or package handles from falling out during transport, the inner handle  24  is rotated with respect to the outer handle  22  with the help of a grip  16 , thereby closing the slot  28  with the body of the inner handle  24 .  
         [0027]     Referring to  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 , another variation is shown. In this example, the combined handle  30  consists of an outer handle  32  and an inner handle  34  that are oval in shape (cross sectional). The outside diameter of the inner handle  34  is slightly less than the inside diameter of the outer handle  32 , thereby forming a tight fit so that the inner handle  34  can be inserted and removed from within the outer handle  32 . By having a tight fit, the handles  32 / 34  don&#39;t easily separate during use but can be separated without tools by a person applying force to the inner handle  34  while holding the outer handle  32 . The combined handle  30  is elongated and of size to fit comfortable in a person&#39;s hand. Both the inner handle  34  and the outer handle  32  are hollow. To seal the slot  38  in this non-circular shaped combined handle  30 , the inner handle  34  is removed from the outer handle  32 , then the handles of bags or packages are strung through the open slot of both handles  32 / 34 , then one of the handles  32 / 34  is rotated  180  degrees and then the inner handle  34  is re-inserted into the outer handle  32 , thereby closing the slot  38  as shown in  FIG. 5 .  
         [0028]     Referring to  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7 , another variation is shown. In this example, the cross sections of the outer handle  42  and the inner handle  44  are square in shape. The outside width of the inner handle  44  is slightly less than the inside width of the outer handle  42 , thereby forming a tight fit so that the inner handle  44  can be inserted and removed from within the outer handle  42 . By having a tight fit, the handles  42 / 44  don&#39;t easily separate during use but can be separated without tools by a person applying force to the inner handle  44  while holding the outer handle  42 . The combined handle  40  is elongated and of size to fit comfortable in a person&#39;s hand. Both the inner handle  44  and the outer handle  42  are hollow. To seal the slot  48  in this non-circular shaped combined handle  40 , the inner handle  44  is removed from the outer handle  42 , then the handles of bags or packages are strung through the open slot  48  of both handles  42 / 44 , then one of the handles  42 / 44  is rotated  90 .degrees,  180  degrees or  270  degrees along an axis roughly formed by the bag handles. Next, the inner handle  44  is re-inserted into the outer handle  42 , thereby closing the slot  48  as shown in  FIG. 7 .  
         [0029]     Referring to  FIG. 8 , a variation of the handle of  FIGS. 6 &amp; 7  with a grip  56  is shown. In this example of a combined handle  50 , the outer handle  52  and inner handle  54  are shaped and operate in the same manner as in  FIG. 6  &amp;  FIG. 7 , but the removal of the inner handle  54  from the outer handle  52  is facilitated with the help of a grip  56 . Throughout the description of the present invention, the grips  26 / 56  are shown in a particular shape for brevity purposes, showing the function rather than the aesthetic appearance. In practice, the size and shape of the grips  26 / 56  can be any shape that will aid in the rotation or removal of the inner handle  14 / 24 / 34 / 44 / 54 / 64 . In some embodiments, the grips  26 / 56  have finger grooves to reduce slippage when pulling or turning the inner handle  14 / 24 / 34 / 44 / 54 / 64 .  
         [0030]     Referring to  FIG. 9  and  FIG. 10 , another variation is shown. In this example, the outer handle  62  and the inner handle  64  are rectangular in shape (cross sectional). The outside width and height of the inner handle  64  is slightly less than the inside width and height of the outer handle  62 , thereby forming a tight fit so that the inner handle  64  can be inserted and removed from within the outer handle  62 . By having a tight fit, the handles  62 / 64  don&#39;t easily separate during use but can be separated without tools by a person applying force to the inner handle  64  while holding the outer handle  62 . The combined handle  60  is elongated and of size to fit comfortable in a person&#39;s hand. Both the inner handle  64  and the outer handle  62  are hollow. To seal the slot  68  in this non-circular shaped combined handle  60 , the inner handle  64  is removed from the outer handle  62 , then the handles of bags or packages are strung through the open slot  68  of both handles  62 / 64 , then one of the handles  62 / 64  is rotated 180 degrees along an axis roughly formed by the bag handles. Next, the inner handle  64  is re-inserted into the outer handle  62 , thereby closing the slot  68  as shown in  FIG. 10 .  
         [0031]     Referring to  FIG. 11  and  FIG. 12 , a diagrammatic perspective view illustrating the first embodiment of the present invention being used to carry several shopping bags by their handle is shown. In  FIG. 11 , the combined handle  10  as per  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  is shown with an outer handle  12  and an inner handle  14  in which the slot  18  is open. The handles  17  of several bags  16  have been strung through the open slot  18 . It can be seen that, if the bags  16  shown are set down and tension is taken off of the bag handles  17 , they would easily fall out of the handle and would need to be restrung. Conversely, as shown in  FIG. 12 , the inner handle  14  has been rotated with respect to the outer handle  12 , thereby closing the slot  18  so that if the bags  16  with contents  15  (e.g., groceries) are set down, the bag handles  17  will not fall out of the combined handle  10 . The slot side of the outer handle  12  is positioned for maximum carrying comfort by the user&#39;s hand  19 .  
         [0032]     Referring to  FIG. 13   a/b/c,  the handles of  FIG. 1  &amp;  FIG. 2  are shown in combined mode and individual mode. In  FIG. 13   a , the combined handles  10  are shown with the inner handle  14  completely within the outer handle  12 . In  FIG. 13   b , the inner handle  14  is shown partially within of the outer handle  12 , e.g., the inner handle  14  is pushed partially out of the outer handle  12  by a user&#39;s finger. In  FIG. 13   c , the outer handle  12  is separated from the inner handle  14  and each can be used to hold a plurality of bags as in  FIG. 11  and  12 . In this mode, each handle  12 / 14  can be held by a different hand, especially useful when carrying a large number of shopping bags or packages or to precipitate improved balance. In this mode, there is no lock to keep the shopping bag or package handles from falling out of the individual inner handle  12  and outer handle  14 .  
         [0033]     Throughout this application, the inner handle is sized to fit snuggly within the outer handle being that the outer dimension of the inner handle is slightly less than the inner dimension of the outer handle. This snug fit allows the inner handle to remain within the outer handle during storing and use while permitting the removal of the inner handle using minimal force when independent use is desired. In the preferred embodiments, the inner handle is juxtaposed within the outer handle, in that the outer surface of the inner handle substantially parallels the inner surface of the outer handle. It is anticipated that in some embodiments, the shape of the inner handle will not be totally parallel to the inside surface of the outer handle. For example, in some embodiments, the inner handle has an outward curved surface near each end thereby making contact with the inside surface of the outer handle only at the outward curved surfaces. Furthermore, it is anticipated that the outer handle can have various shapes without veering from the present invention. For example, in some embodiment, the outer handle has finger grips similar to those of a bicycle handle grip.  
         [0034]     Various cross sectional shapes have been disclosed. It is anticipated that many conceivable cross section shapes work equally as well such as triangular, hexagonal, octagonal, etc. As stated above, the outer shape of the outer handle can be smooth, textured, rough or shaped.  
         [0035]     Equivalent elements can be substituted for the ones set forth above such that they perform in substantially the same manner in substantially the same way for achieving substantially the same result.  
         [0036]     It is believed that the system and method of the present invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood by the foregoing description. It is also believed that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the components thereof without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention or without sacrificing all of its material advantages. The form herein before described being merely exemplary and explanatory embodiment thereof. It is the intention of the following claims to encompass and include such changes.