Abstract:
A device has a cylindrical handle with two opposed ends and lifts loaded sacks and other equipment with narrow handholds. Upon both ends, the device has a slot about its circumference. Each slot receives an end of a strap fitted over the handle and into the slot. The strap then suspends below the handle, passes through the handholds of sacks, secures back to the handle, and allows many sacks to be carried. Alternatively, two straps are provided, one upon each end for carrying sacks separately.

Description:
[0001]    This application is a continuation in part of the pending non-provisional application having the Ser. No. 11/752,061 with a filing date of May 22, 2007 and both applications are owned by the same inventor. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The carrier for sacks with strap generally relates to house wares and more specifically to a handle having a strap that receives plastic grocery sacks among other things. 
         [0003]    For many years, people have brought home groceries in paper bags. The paper bags are generally hollow and rectangular in shape when unfolded. A person grasps the bag from below or grips the folded over top. But in recent years, paper bags have been found as a fairly large component in landfill waste. Paper bags also have a high cost of production and toll upon the environment. Bowing to environmental and cost pressures, grocers have sought other bags. 
         [0004]    Grocers, joining with other stores, developed plastic sacks, generally of polyethylene. The plastic sacks are flexible, lightweight, biodegradable, and low cost. The question of “paper or plastic?” has more and more been answered with plastic. Plastic sacks generally have a planar rectangular form, somewhat like an envelope, that expands when loaded with groceries and other products. Grocers often pack one milk jug to a plastic sack and a few of other products to a plastic sack. More often than with paper bags, grocers place fewer items in a plastic sack. The typical customer takes home more plastic sacks than paper bags in times past. 
         [0005]    Typically, the plastic sacks begin as a sleeve that is sealed at one end forming a bottom and then cut to form an open top. Near the top, each plastic sack has a handhold upon each side. The handholds allow a person to inset the fingers of one hand through one or both sides of the sack and thus to lift the sack with groceries and products therein. Arriving home from a grocery or shopping trip, a person unloads the plastic bags and brings them into a home. Though the handholds allow a person to grip the plastic sack, the handholds rest upon the inside skin of the fingers and across the palm of a hand. If many sacks are carried in one hand or a sack is carried for a long time, the sacks begin to pinch into the fingers causing discoloration and eventually discomfort from lack of circulation. Additionally, the plastic sacks generally remain in a person&#39;s hands as gripping them from beneath causes the sacks to open and spill their contents. When carrying a plastic sack, the hands of a person are occupied and a person has difficulty reaching for keys in pockets or purses, holding a stair rail, turning door knobs, or opening doors, among other tasks. Once at the kitchen, pantry, or other location for the products within the plastic sacks, a person sets down the plastic sacks which then go limp and partially spill the products from within the sacks. 
         [0006]    Besides grocery sacks, people carry bags and other containers with narrow diameter, or rope like, handles. Shopping bags for years have had cord like handles. Holding such handles for long durations also pinches the inside of fingers. Beyond shopping, fishermen use nylon rope stringers to hold and then to bring in a catch of fish. When the weight of fish on the stringers exceeds 4-5 pounds, the stringer also pinches the inside of the fisherman&#39;s hand. Similar to grocery sacks, cord handles and rope handles pinch the hand of a person holding them. 
         [0007]    The present invention overcomes the difficulties of the prior art. The present invention includes a handle, comfortably sized, with hooks upon each end. One or more plastic sacks or cord handle bags can be placed upon the hooks and then a person grasps the handle to lift and to carry the sacks or bags to a destination. The present invention operates so that a person carries many plastic sacks in one hand with a tool having a handle wider and longer than the handholds of the plastic sacks. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    Generally, the present invention provides a cylindrical handle with two opposed ends. Upon both ends, the invention has a hook attached. The hook can be a single though a double hook is preferred. Each hook has a shank that connects with the end of the handle upon one end and extends in a curve upon the opposite end. The curve of the hook then terminates in a spherical cap. Each hook can hold at least one plastic grocery sack though multiple sacks upon each hook are foreseen. In the preferred embodiment, the invention has a strap suspended below the handle. The strap attaches to slots proximate the ends of the handle. The strap can attach to one or both slots at the discretion of the user. 
         [0009]    There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. The present invention also includes a handle offset above the hooks, two fasteners upon each hook to prevent rotation of the hook relative to the handle, rings or ridges upon the handle to prevent slippage of a person&#39;s grip, symmetric slots upon the handle, a symmetric strap, a strap having elongated apertures, and reinforcing upon the strap around the apertures. 
         [0010]    Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims attached. 
         [0011]    Numerous objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description of the presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative, embodiment of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Before explaining the current embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
         [0012]    One object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved carrier for sacks. 
         [0013]    Another object is to provide such a carrier for sacks that holds at least two sacks of groceries without reducing circulation to the fingers and palm and without pinching the fingers. 
         [0014]    Another object is to provide such a carrier for sacks that has a low cost of manufacturing so the consuming public can readily purchase the carrier for sacks through existing retail outlets and retailers can source the carrier from existing wholesalers and suppliers. 
         [0015]    These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty that characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]    In referring to the drawings, 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  shows a side view of the alternate embodiment when holding sacks thereupon; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  shows an end view of the alternate embodiment; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  describes a side view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  describes a perspective view of an alternate embodiment; 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  describes a side view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention using a strap; 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  provides a plan view of the strap of the preferred embodiment of the strap with a smooth surface while  FIG. 7   a  shows the strap with a rough surface; 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  shows an end view of the handle; and, 
           [0025]      FIG. 9  illustrates a side view of the handle. 
       
    
    
       [0026]    The same reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the various figures. 
       DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0027]    The present invention overcomes the prior art limitations and provides a carrier for sacks that aids people bringing groceries and other goods into a home, among other tasks. The preferred embodiment of the present invention  1  is shown in  FIG. 1  ready to hold sacks. The carrier  1  has a centered handle  2 , generally cylindrical in shape and of a diameter comfortable in a person&#39;s palm, approximately one inch. The handle has a preferred round shape in cross section though oval and ovoid cross sections are possible. The handle has a length of approximately at least three times its diameter. Also, the handle has two opposed ends  3 , generally on a plane perpendicular to the length of the carrier  1 . The ends  3  are generally rounded from the perimeter of the handle partially towards the center of each end. 
         [0028]    Upon each end  3 , the present invention has a hook assembly that has a plate  4  connected to the end. The plate is generally planar, has an outer surface, and an opposite inner surface, and has a rounded shape slightly less in diameter than the diameter of the end. The plate connects to the end  3  with at least one fastener  5 , such as a screw, and preferably two fasteners. Where one fastener is used, the plate has an extension, or bump, upon the inner surface. Upon tightening the one fastener, the extension is pressed into the end  3  to prevent inadvertent rotation of the plate. The preferred embodiment has two fasteners  5 , generally spaced apart upon the diameter of the plate. Where the diameter containing the fasteners intersects a tangent to the plate, as at  6 , the plate begins to narrow in width away from the fasteners. 
         [0029]    Opposite the fasteners at the narrowest portion of the plate, as at  7 , two shanks  8  extend from the plate. The shanks generally bifurcate outwardly from the plate and the centerline of the handle  2 . Each shank has a hook  9 , here shown as partially circular though other shapes, such as oval, are foreseen. In cross section the hook  9  is generally rectangular. Away from the plate  6 , the hook terminates in a non-penetrating fitting, here shown as a ball  10 . The ball has a diameter greater than the thickness of the hook  9  and prevents sacks, at the handhold, from slipping off the hook. Additionally, the ball having a rounded surface without a point minimizes the risk of injury from the hook abutting, or penetrating, a person. In the preferred embodiment, the ball is generally located below the elevation of the fasteners  5 . The preferred embodiment has two hooks upon each plate and a plate upon each end. 
         [0030]    Turning the invention,  FIG. 2  shows the carrier  1  from the side. The handle  2  has an elongated shape of sufficient length to comfortably fit a person&#39;s hand with the fingers closed upon the handle. The handle has two opposed ends  3  with a hook assembly upon each end. Each hook assembly has a plate  4  generally abutting the end and attached with preferably two fasteners  5  into the handle. From each plate, a shank  8  descends away from the fasteners. The shank shank expands from a flat shape near the plate to a rounded shape that forms the curved hook  9 . The hook proceeds further away from the fasteners and then returns upwardly to terminate below the fasteners  5  and slightly above the shank  8 . Each hook terminates in a ball  10 . In this figure, the hooks upon each end both extend in the same direction and generally define the bottom or down for this invention. The bottom of each hook, being below the plate establishes an offset, as at O, for the handle. When the hooks are placed upon a surface as during a period of non-usage of the invention, the handle is raised slightly above that surface. Raising the handle permits a person&#39;s fingers to grip the handle prior to lifting the carrier. Additionally, when a person places the carrier, when loaded, upon a surface, a person can release his fingers from the handle and remove them from beneath with minimal disturbance to the sacks B or other loads upon the hooks. The offset generally reduces injury and damage to a person&#39;s knuckles and fingers. 
         [0031]    Viewing an end  3  of the handle  2 ,  FIG. 3  shows the installation of the plate  4  and the hook assembly. Each end is generally round in shape and cross section and partially rounded upon the perimeter. The rounding eases the transition from the handle  2  to the plate  4 . The plate  4 , generally flat in shape, attaches to the end with two fasteners  5 , generally spaced apart upon a diameter of the handle. The plate has a slightly lesser radius that exposes a portion of the end for rounding as previously described. In the preferred embodiment, usage of two fasteners to attach the plate to the end also prevents rotation of the plate when subject to unequal loads upon the two hooks  9 . The plate becomes the hooks as it narrows from its widest point as at  6  to the narrow section of the plate as at  7 . From the narrow section, the plate bifurcates into two outwardly extending shanks  8  and upwardly extending hooks  9 . Each hook ends in a ball  10  of generally greater diameter than the width of the hook. Generally, the hooks, the plate, and the related components are symmetric upon one end and the hook assemblies assemblies upon both ends are mutually symmetric. 
         [0032]    An alternate embodiment is shown in  FIG. 4 . Similar to the carrier shown in  FIG. 2 , this alternate embodiment has a cylindrical handle  2  with two ends  3  and a plate  4  upon each end. Each plate has a bifurcated hook  9  that extends from a shank  8  and terminates in a ball  10  as before. Here though, the handle has a plurality of ridges  11  mutually parallel and spaced apart. The ridges are located upon the perimeter of the handle, partially around the circumference. Generally, the ridges have a position upon the handle generally behind the narrow part  7  of the plate  4  where the shanks join the plate. The spacing of the ridges prevents a person&#39;s fingers from slipping upon the handle. Opposite the ridges, the handle is smooth for gripping by the palm of a person&#39;s hand. 
         [0033]    A further alternate embodiment takes form in  FIG. 5  where a handle  2  has a cylindrical form with two ends  3 . Upon each end, a plate  4  attaches with two fasteners  5  through the plate and into the handle. The planar plate has a generally round shape that narrows opposite the fasteners, as shown at  7 . From the narrowing of the plate, a shank  8  extends downwardly and outwardly in a curved manner as a hook  9 . The hook terminates in a ball  10  to prevent embedment of the end of the hook in the items carried thereupon. Each end thus has a single hook for carrying of two items by this alternate embodiment of the invention. 
         [0034]    Turning to the preferred embodiment shown in  FIG. 6 , the carrier for sacks with strap has a handle  2 , generally elongated and round, and a strap  11  suspended below the handle. The strap can hold one or more sacks, or bags, when the strap is placed through the handles of the bags. Though sacks are described, the present invention also holds clothing, shoes, and other items with loops or loop like features. The handle has two ends  3  with a slot  12  proximate each end. Each slot extends into the handle for a fraction of the radius of the handle and extends at least half way around the circumference, preferably around around the entire circumference as later shown. The strap itself has two opposed ends  13  that secure upon the slots  12 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 7  shows the strap  11  when in flat form. The strap has a generally elongated, slender form with two rounded ends  13 . The strap has a body  14  between the two ends, generally of constant width and thickness. The thickness of the body is similar to the thickness of the ends  13 . Each end is rounded away from the body so that upon installing the strap, the rounded ends complement the round shape of the handle for a smooth fit into the user&#39;s hand. Proximate each end, the strap has an aperture  15  that extends through the thickness of the strap. The aperture is an opening that admits the end  3  of the handle and allows the strap to slide along the handle into the slot  12 . Here the aperture has a somewhat triangular shape with a point as at  15   b  towards the interior of the strap and a rounded base as at  15   a  towards the end  13 . The diameter of the rounded end is substantially the inner diameter of the slot  12 . Each end of the strap has an aperture  15 . Alternatively, the strap has two opposite faces, one face being smooth, or finished, and the opposite face being rough, or unfinished. 
         [0036]    The end  3  of the handle  2  appears in  FIG. 8 . The handle has a slot  12  generally near the end  3 . The slot extends around the circumference of the handle and inwardly into the handle along a portion of a radius. The slot has an inside diameter,  12   a , large enough to support the shear forces from the weight of loaded bags upon the handle. The slot also has an inside diameter shallow enough in relation to the diameter of the handle that prevents the strap from sliding along the length of the handle. 
         [0037]    And turning the handle,  FIG. 9  shows the handle  2  in a side view without the strap. As before, the handle is generally a round cylinder with two opposite ends  3 . The ends are rounded over, as at  3   a , to have a partial button like appearance when viewed from the end. The rounding over also minimizes the instance of the handle sticking and grabbing other items when stored in a purse or a pocket. Rounding over removes the perimeter edge of each end but the invention has less than a complete dome shape. The rounded over ends have a generally curved shape of a constant radius generally greater than the radius of the handle. Inwardly from the rounded ends, the handle has a slot  12  upon each end. The slot extends into the diameter of the handle around its circumference. The slot has a depth of at least ⅛th of the outside diameter of the handle, preferably one quarter of the outside diameter of the handle. The slot has a width also at least one eighth of the outside diameter of the handle and preferably one quarter of the outside diameter of the handle. Each end has a slot and the handle is symmetric about the longitudinal and the lateral axes. 
         [0038]    From the aforementioned description, a carrier for sacks with strap has been described. The carrier for sacks is uniquely capable of distributing the weight from a narrow handle of loaded sacks to prevent pinching of the fingers and the palm of a person carrying the sacks or other items. The carrier is preferably made from hardwood and the strap is leather. The carrier for sacks and its various components may be manufactured from many materials, including but not limited to, woods, polymers, polyvinyl chloride, high density polyethylene, polypropylene, nylon, steel, ferrous and non-ferrous metals, their alloys, and composites. 
         [0039]    As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. Therefore, the claims include such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and the scope of the present invention.