Abstract:
A handle for opening and closing any door or drawer of a commercial or residential building is disclosed. The handle includes a first wall member joined to a second wall member that is attached to a third wall member to form a removable handle for opening and closing a door or drawer. At least one wall member is flexible and resilient such that when the handle is attached to a door or drawer, the first wall member flexibly and resiliently moves to form a self-tensioning, self-grip in conjunction with the remaining wall members on the door or drawer allowing the handle to be used to open and/or close a door or drawer.

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
       [0001]    The present application claims priority to U.S. application Ser. No. 12/335,580 filed on Dec. 16, 2008, the contents of which are incorporated by reference for all purposes. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to handles, and more particularly to removable door and drawer handles for opening and closing cabinet doors, cabinet drawers, interior doors, entry/exit doors and/or otherwise for commercial and residential uses. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Cabinet doors, cabinet drawers, interior doors, entry/exit doors and/or otherwise are often manufactured without handles for purposes of allowing the purchaser the ability to select custom handles according to their desired taste. Therefore, it is likely that a purchaser may install and begin to use any doors, drawers, and/or otherwise without installing their respected handles. This may pose a problem for purchasers and builders who wish to make use of cabinet doors, cabinet drawers, interior doors, entry/exit doors and/or otherwise post installation but prior to attachment of any handle or other device allowing for use of the drawer or door. Prior to handle installation it may be extremely challenging to open and shut any door or drawer without damaging the door or drawer. 
         [0004]    To remedy this issue, handles can be attached by adhesives. For example, one part of a door handle generally protrudes outwardly from the door for grasping and pulling open or closing the door, while the adhesive portion of the handle is adhesively bonded to a surface of the door. The adhesive attaching may minimize the possibility of marring the door, which is a concern by many cabinet owners when the handles are attached via fasteners, however, the adhesive attachment of the handle can be messy and may leave an adhesive residue on the surface of the cabinets, cabinet drawers, interior doors, entry/exit doors and/or otherwise once the handle is removed. Thus, there is a need for a removable handle that attaches to cabinet doors, cabinet drawers, interior doors, entry/exit doors and/or otherwise without the downsides of using adhesive as well as the damage and difficulty that may arise from the use of common fasteners (e.g. nails, screws, staples). 
         [0005]    The invention solves this problem by providing a removable handle permitting the purchaser to easily install the removable handle without the use of additional tools such as screw drivers, drills, and the like or having to use adhesives, screws, nails, staples, or otherwise. Until the purchaser decides on permanent handles, the removable handles of this invention can aid the owner in the opening and closing of the cabinet doors, cabinet drawers, interior doors, entry/exit doors and/or otherwise. Alternatively, if the purchaser does not desire to purchase permanent handles, the removable handles may be utilized permanently to aid in the opening and closing of the cabinet doors, cabinet drawers, interior doors, entry/exit doors and/or otherwise. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention meets some or all of the above-mentioned needs by providing a removable handle for opening and/or closing a door or drawer. 
         [0007]    One aspect of the invention is directed towards a handle for opening and closing a door or drawer comprising: a first wall member having a curved c-shape so that the first wall member can be grasped during installation, removal, and use; a second wall member integral formed and extending from the first wall member, such that the second wall member intersects the first wall member at a location on the handle where the curvature of the first wall member ends; and a third wall member integrally formed with and extending substantially perpendicular from the second wall member so that the third wall member is located on the inside of a door or drawer during use and is of sufficient length to maintain the handle in a fixed location during use. The second and third wall members further comprise an outer surface opposite and parallel to an inner surface, and the second and third wall members are substantially planar in shape and extend generally downward from the second wall member. At least one wall member is generally flexible and resilient such that when the handle is attached to a door or a drawer the at least one wall member flexibly and resilient moves to form a self-grip in conjunction with the remaining wall members on a door or a drawer. 
         [0008]    This aspect of the invention may be further characterized by one or any combination of the following: the second wall member includes a portion that extends toward the third wall member and a portion that extends away from the third wall member; the portion of the second wall member that extends away from the third wall member includes a tab that may be grasped during installation, removal and use of the handle; the handle does not fasten to a door or a drawer by an adhesive, screw, nail, or staple. 
         [0009]    In another aspect, the present invention contemplates a method for opening a door or drawer having no installed handle comprising: providing a removable handle having a first wall member, a second wall member, and a third wall member; providing a curved c-shape portion as the first wall member integrally formed with and extending from the second wall member; grasping the c-shape portion; placing the handle onto an edge of a door or drawer such that a grip is formed between the first wall member, the second wall member, and the tab portion and maneuvering the door or drawer to a desired position. 
         [0010]    This aspect of the invention may be further characterized by one or any combination of the following: the method does not include a step of fastening the handle to a door or a drawer via an adhesive, screw, nail, or staple; the handle is removed after the door or drawer is placed in the desired location; the handle is not removed after the door or drawer is placed in the desired location; the first wall portion is shaped to allow for grasping and pulling on the handle while preventing disengagement of the handle during use; the handle is adjustable to allow for doors and drawers of varying thicknesses; the handle includes: a first wall member having a curved c-shape so that the first wall member can be grasped during installation, removal, and use; a second wall member integral formed and extending from the first wall member, such that the second wall member intersects the first wall member at a location on the handle where the curvature of the first wall member ends; and a third wall member integrally formed with and extending substantially perpendicular from the second wall member so that the third wall member is located on the inside of a door or drawer during use and is of sufficient length to maintain the handle in a fixed location during use. The second and third wall members further comprise an outer surface opposite and parallel to an inner surface, and the second and third wall members are substantially planar in shape and extend generally downward from the second wall member. At least one wall member is generally flexible and resilient such that when the handle is attached to a door or a drawer the at least one wall member flexibly and resilient moves to form a self-grip in conjunction with the remaining wall members on a door or a drawer. 
         [0011]    It should be appreciated that the above referenced aspects and examples are non-limiting as others exist with the present invention, as shown and described herein. For example, any of the above mentioned aspects or features of the invention may be combined to form other unique configurations of the finished block, as described herein, demonstrated in the drawings, or otherwise. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    The features of the present invention shall become clear to those skilled in the art upon reading the attached detailed description along with reference to the following drawings, in which: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the handle in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the handle from  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a top view of the handle from  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the handle in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is a side view of the handle from  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is a top view of the handle from  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  is an illustration of the embodiments of the handle from  FIG. 1  attached to a cabinet door. 
           [0020]      FIG. 8  is an illustration of the embodiments of the handle from  FIG. 4  attached to a cabinet door. 
           [0021]      FIG. 9A  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the handle in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 9B  is a profile view of the handle from  FIG. 9A . 
           [0023]      FIG. 9C  is a top view of the handle from  FIG. 9A . 
           [0024]      FIG. 10A  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the handle in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 10B  is a front view of the handle from  FIG. 10A . 
           [0026]      FIG. 10C  is a top view of the handle from  FIG. 10A . 
           [0027]      FIG. 10D  is a back view of the handle from  FIG. 10A . 
           [0028]      FIG. 10E  is a bottom view of the handle from  FIG. 10A . 
           [0029]      FIG. 10F  is a profile view of the handle from  FIG. 10A . 
           [0030]      FIG. 11  is an illustration of the embodiment of the handle from  FIGS. 10A-10F  attached to a drawer. 
           [0031]      FIG. 12  is an illustration of the embodiment of the handle from  FIGS. 9A-9C  attached to a drawer. 
           [0032]      FIG. 13A  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the handle in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0033]      FIG. 13B  is a profile view of the handle from  FIG. 13A . 
           [0034]      FIG. 14A  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the handle in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0035]      FIG. 14B  is a profile view of the handle from  FIG. 14A . 
           [0036]      FIG. 15A  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the handle in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0037]      FIG. 15B  is a profile view of the handle from  FIG. 15A . 
           [0038]      FIG. 16A  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the handle in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0039]      FIG. 16B  is a profile view of the handle from  FIG. 16A . 
           [0040]      FIG. 17A  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the handle in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0041]      FIG. 17B  is a profile view of the handle from  FIG. 17A . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0042]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 4 , a handle  10  is shown in accordance with the present invention. As shown, the handle includes a first wall member  20 , a second wall member  30 , and a third wall member  50 . It should be appreciated by one skilled in the art that the handle  10  may be made from a soft touch plastic that is non-marring, a rigid rubber that is non-marring, a metal composite that is non-marring, or otherwise. 
         [0043]    The first wall member  20  includes an inner surface  22 , and an outer surface  24 . The first wall member  20  is flexible and resilient allowing movement of the first wall member  20  in relation to the third wall member  50 . This allows the distance between the first wall member  20  and the third wall member  50  to increase at certain points when the handle  10  is attached to a cabinet door  60  as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . The flexibility of the first wall member  20  allows the member  20  to move such that a grip is formed between the first, second and third wall members  20 ,  30 ,  50 , respectively, and the periphery of the cabinet door  60 . The resilience of the first wall member causes the first wall member  20  and the third wall member  50  to apply opposing forces on the periphery of the cabinet door  60  attaching the handle to the door. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the handle  10  may be pre-tensioned to allow expansion from the range of about ¼ to 3 inches, ⅜ inch to 1 and ¼ inch, or otherwise which is particularly useful with standard doors produced with ¾ inch peripheries as well as custom made doors ranging up to about 1 and ¼ inch of thickness. The first wall member  20  may be curved in a bow shape as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 4 . The curvature of the first wall member  20  facilities installation of the handle and provides resilience for securing the handle to the door. 
         [0044]    The handle  10  further may include a second wall member  30  having an outer surface  32 , an inner surface  34 , a first end  36 , and a second end  38 . The second wall member  30  is substantially planar in shape, and is integrally formed and joined to the first wall member  20 . The second wall member  30  may further include a tab  40  that protrudes from the second end  38  for grasping, and maneuvering the cabinet door  60  open or closed. It should be appreciated by one skilled in the art, that the substantially planar shape of the second wall member  30  may also contain indicia (e.g. manufacturer name etc.) on the outer surface  32  of the second wall member  30  as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8  (the indicia may be placed at  37 ). The indicia shown is located on the second end  38  but it should be appreciated by one skilled in the art that the indicia be placed anywhere on the outer surface  32 , and not limited to placement on the second end  38 . The handle  10  may be produced with an insert mold, which allows the mold to be changed as desired to input different forms of indicia on the handle  10 . Alternatively, an adhesive label encompassing indicia may also be utilized in order to label the handle  10  with various forms of indicia. It should be appreciated by one skilled in the art that the indicia may be a company name, logo, decorative pattern, and/or otherwise. 
         [0045]    The handle  10  further includes a third wall member  50 . The third wall member  50  may be generally perpendicular to the second wall member  30 . The third wall member  50  may also be generally parallel to the first wall member  20 . The third wall member  50  may be integrally formed and joined to the second wall member  30 . 
         [0046]    Referring to  FIGS. 4 ,  5 ,  6  and  8  another embodiment of the temporary cabinet door handle  10  is shown. For convenience, common reference numerals have been utilized for common components in this embodiment and the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . In this embodiment, the second wall member  30  may further includes ridges  42  that extend in a column from the first end  36  to the second end  38 . The ridges  42  can be but are not necessarily equally spaced apart from one another and generally parallel to one another. The ridges  42  permit the handle  10  to be adjustable to fit various door  60  thicknesses by allowing the handle  10  to be adjustable. The multiple adjustment feature of the handle  10  in  FIG. 4  allows the handle  10  to be adjustably expandable to grip various peripheries of doors  60  and drawers having a periphery in the range from about ¼ to 6 inches, ⅝ to 2 and ¾ inches, or otherwise. 
         [0047]    In  FIG. 4 , the third wall member  50  may be removable attached to the second wall member  30  as shown in  FIG. 4  and may include an integrally formed head  56  defining a bore  58  for receiving the second wall member  30 . The head  56  fits and may matingly engage into any one of the ridges  42  on the second wall member  30  for allowing the third wall member  50  to be slideably adjustable between the first and second ends  36 ,  38 , respectively, and self-locking with the second wall member  30 . 
         [0048]    Referring to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , in operation the handle  10  is removably attached to a door  60 . More particularly, the inner surface  22  of the first wall member  20 , the inner surface  34  of the second wall member  30 , and the inner surface  52  of the third wall member  50  may contact various surfaces of the door  60  when the handle  10  is tension fit and attached to the door  60 . For instance, upon application of the handle  10  to the door  60 , the inner surface  22  may contact the back surface of the door  60 . The other inner surface  34  may contact the intermediate surface of the door  60  and the other inner surface  52  may contact the front surface of the door  60  such that the wall members  20 ,  30  and  50  form a self grip with the door  60 . As shown in the drawings, the handle  10  is attached to a door  60  of a cabinet, but it should be appreciated by one skilled in the art that the temporary handle  10  may also be utilized on cabinets, cabinet drawers, interior doors, entry/exit doors and/or otherwise. 
         [0049]    As shown (for example) in  FIGS. 9A-9C , the first wall member  20  may be curved in a serpentine manner. The second wall member  30  may intersect with the third wall member  50  in a substantially perpendicular arrangement. The second wall member  30  may intersect with the third wall member  50  in a substantially non-perpendicular arrangement. The second wall member  30  may extend beyond any location where the second wall member  30  intersects the third wall member  50 , so that the terminating end  70  of the second wall member  30  may be used as a location for grasping the handle during use. Alternatively, the serpentine shape of the first wall member  20  may serve as a location for grasping the handle during use. The third wall member  50  may also serve as a location for grasping during use. Consequently, the first wall  20  or the third wall  50  may be located upon the outside of a drawer or door when the handle is in use. The second wall member  30  may also terminate upon intersection with the third wall  50 . 
         [0050]    Referring to  FIGS. 10A-10F , the first wall member  20  may be curved in a circular arrangement where the terminating end  71  of the first wall member may or may not contact the inner surface  22  of the first wall member or inner surface  34  of the second wall member. The radius of curvature of the first wall member  20  may be constant along the first wall member or may change along the first wall member. The curved surface of the first wall member  20 , may give way to a flat surface that becomes the second wall member  30 . The second wall member  30  may begin at any point along the surface of the handle where the first wall member  20  is no longer curving. The second wall member  30  may also adjoin a third wall member  50 . The third wall member  50  may be attached to the second wall member  30  in a perpendicular arrangement. The third wall member may also be attached to the second wall member at an oblique angle (e.g., at any non-perpendicular arrangement). 
         [0051]    During use, the handle may be attached to a drawer, door, or other generally planar surface requiring a movement aid so that the curved first wall member  20  is located where it can be grasped during use of the handle. The terminating end  71  of the first wall member may be in contact with the door, drawer, or other surface. The handle may also be shaped so that the terminating end  71  of the first wall member is not in contact with the door, drawer, or other surface. The first wall member may be in contact with a door, drawer, or other surface at any point prior to the terminating end of the first wall member. The location on the first wall surface at which a door, drawer or other surface contacts the first wall surface may be determinative of how flexible the first wall member may be once in use. 
         [0052]    The first wall member  20  may be flexible and resilient allowing movement of the first wall member  20  in relation to the third wall member  50 . The third wall member  50  may be flexible and resilient allowing movement of the third wall member  50  in relation to the first wall member  20 . Both the first and third wall members may be flexible and resilient to allow for the handle to fit a grasp a wide range of door, drawer, or other surface widths. Only one of the first or third wall members may be flexible and resilient so that the handle is rigid enough to prevent unwanted slippage about or off of a door, drawer or other surface. The second wall member may also be flexible and resilient to allow for further expansion of the handle. 
         [0053]      FIGS. 11 and 12  are illustrative examples of the embodiments of  FIGS. 9A-9C  and  10 A- 10 F as attached to a door, drawer or other panel structure. The curved first wall members of each embodiment are shown in contact with one side of the door, drawer, or other panel structure, while the third wall, shown in the figures as a substantially planar wall is in contact with an opposing side of the door, drawer, or other panel structure. The contact of the walls of the handle with the door, drawer, or other panel structure allows the handle to be held in place during use. 
         [0054]    Referring to  FIGS. 13A-B , the curved first wall member  20  may intersect the second wall member  30  at a midpoint  72  of the second wall member, such that the second wall member is substantially linear and extends toward the third wall member  50  and also away from the third wall member  50 . The resulting tab structure  73  may be located on the exterior of a door, drawer, or other structure so that the tab structure  73  may be grasped during use. The portion of the second wall member  30  that extends toward the third wall member  50  may terminate at the third wall member or may continue beyond the point where the third wall member intersects the second wall member. The second wall member and third wall member may be arranged in a perpendicular relationship with one another. The second wall member and the third wall member may also be in a non-perpendicular arrangement. It is further possible that the portion of the second wall member that extends away from the third wall member may extend in a linear relationship with the portion of the second wall member that extends toward the third wall member. Alternatively, the portion of the second wall member that extends away from the third wall member may extend in a linear relationship with the portion of the second wall member that extends toward the third wall member. The relationship between the multiple portions of the second wall member may become non-linear at any point along the second wall member. 
         [0055]    Referring to  FIGS. 14A-B , an additional embodiment of the handle in accordance with the present teachings includes a second wall member  30  that may be partially coextensive with the curved first wall member  20 . The resulting second wall member  30  includes a terminating end  74  that extends downward in the same direction as the terminating end  75  of the third wall member  50 . The second wall member may further include a curved portion  76  extending away from the terminating end  74  that is coextensive with a portion of the curved first wall member. The second wall member may also include a linear portion  77  that extends to the location where the third wall member  50  intersects the second wall member  30 . The second wall member and third wall member may or may not be arranged in a perpendicular manner relative to one another. 
         [0056]    As shown (for example) in  FIGS. 15A-B , the handle may include a fourth wall member  78 . The fourth wall member  78  may extend from the second wall member  30 . The fourth wall member  78  and third wall member  50  may intersect and thereby extend from the second wall member  30  at opposing ends of the second wall member. Both of the third and fourth wall members may extend from the second wall member at any location along the second wall member. In one embodiment, the third and fourth wall members both extend from opposing terminating ends of the second wall member. The fourth wall member may also extend upward from the second wall member or may extend both upward and downward from the second wall member. 
         [0057]    Referring to  FIGS. 16A-B , a fifth wall member  79  may also be included. The fifth wall member  79  may extend from the fourth wall member  78  to serve as an additional tab structure for grasping the handle during use. The fifth wall member  79  may extend from the fourth wall member in a perpendicular arrangement as shown in  FIGS. 16A-B . The fifth wall member may also extend in a generally upward direction so that an acute angle is formed between the fourth wall member and fifth wall member. The fifth wall member may also extend from any of the first, second, or third wall members. 
         [0058]      FIGS. 17A-B  are an illustrative example of a handle having an elongated wall. The elongated wall  80  may be the third wall member as shown. The elongated wall  80  provides additional contact between the handle surfaces and the surface of a door, drawer or other surface during use. This increase in contact area may provide improved attachment strength by making the handle more difficult to remove and/or increasing the tension between the walls of the handle. 
         [0059]    The wall members may all be of the same thickness, or the wall members may be of varying thicknesses. The wall members may be sufficiently thick so as to provide enough rigidity and strength to hold the handle in place on a door, drawer or other surface when in use. The wall members may also have a thickness that allows for sufficient flexibility so that the handle can be placed onto doors, drawers, and other surfaces of varying dimensions. The thickness of the wall members may be at least about 0.2 mm. The thickness of the wall member may be at least about 1.0 mm. Preferably, the thickness of the wall member may be at least about 1.5 mm. The length of each wall member may vary according to the dimensions of the surface that the handle will be placed upon during use. The length of each wall member may be at least about 8 mm. The length of each wall member may be at least about 20 mm. As shown in  FIGS. 10A-F  for example, the first and second wall members may be longer than the third wall member. As shown in  FIGS. 17A-B  for example, the third wall member may be longer than the first and second wall member. The width of the wall members may be of a sufficient width to allow for secure grasping of the handle during use. The width of the wall members may be the same for each wall member, or may vary with wall member having widths that differ from other wall members. For example, the width of the first wall member may be larger than the width of the remaining wall members, or the smaller than the width of the remaining wall members. The width of the second wall member may be greater than the width of the first and/or third wall member. The width of the wall members may be at least about 10 mm. The width of the wall members may be at least about 30 mm. Preferably, the width of the wall members is at least about 40 mm. Any curved wall member may have a radius that is at least about 5 mm. The radius of any curved wall member may be at least about 10 mm. 
         [0060]    The dimensions of the handle may depend on the material composition of the handle. For example, a more flexible or brittle material may require additional thickness to provide the requisite rigidity for the handle. A more stiff material may require less thickness to allow for requisite flexibility. 
         [0061]    The handle may be manufactured using a variety of materials and methods. The handle may include multiple materials or may be manufactured using one material. The material may include plastic, metal, fibrous material or any material that will not damage a drawer or door surface. The materials can be processed by injection molding (e.g., overmolding or two-shot injection molding), extrusion, compression molding or similar processing methods. The processing steps may produce a smooth surface or a rigged surface. The processing steps may result in a multi-layer surface such that a substantially rigid surface may be coated with a rigged soft-touch surface. 
         [0062]    Unless stated otherwise, dimensions and geometries of the various structures depicted herein are not intended to be restrictive of the invention, and other dimensions or geometries are possible. Plural structural components can be provided by a single integrated structure. Alternatively, a single integrated structure might be divided into separate plural components. Similarly, specific features or components described in the different embodiments of the blocks may be used with other embodiments or may be combined with yet other features or components to form other embodiments. In addition, while a feature of the present invention may have been described in the context of only one of the illustrated embodiments, such feature may be combined with one or more other features of other embodiments, for any given application. It will also be appreciated from the above that the fabrication of the unique structures herein and the operation thereof also constitute methods in accordance with the present invention. 
         [0063]    The preferred embodiment of the present invention has been disclosed. A person of ordinary skill in the art would realize however, that certain modifications would come within the teachings of this invention. Therefore, the following claims should be studied to determine the true scope and content of the invention.