Handle grip piece for use in gripping a drinking mug

A handle grip piece is provided for use with the handle of a mug. The handle grip piece has a first side piece including an inner edge and an arcuate outer surface facing the wall of the mug. The first side piece has an upper recess and a lower recess spaced-apart from the upper recess, and a plurality of protrusions extending from the inner edge. The handle grip piece also has a second side piece including an inner edge and an arcuate outer surface facing the wall of the mug. The second side piece has an upper recess and a lower recess spaced-apart from the upper recess, and a plurality of notches provided along the inner edge. The upper and lower recesses of the first and second side pieces are adapted to receive and connect portions of the handle. The protrusions of the first side piece are adapted to be engaged with the notches of the second side piece to connect the first side piece to the second side piece.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates to a removable handle grip piece for use in 
allowing the user to more easily grip the handle of a mug. The handle grip 
piece may be deployed at the handle of any mug, and also may be removed 
and deployed at the handle of another mug. 
2. Description of the Related Art 
The present invention is applicable to mugs and beverage containers alike, 
which shall hereinafter be collectively referred to as "mugs". These mugs 
are typically made of ceramic material because ceramic is easy to clean, 
does not carry any unpleasant odors, and is effective in maintaining the 
temperature of the liquid contained therein. However, ceramics are not the 
only materials that can be used, and other materials such as porcelain, 
glass, plastics and stoneware, for example, may also be used for making 
beverage containers and mugs according to the present invention. 
The conventional mugs that are presently available today are typically 
provided with a curved handle. These curved handles are also provided in a 
standard shape and size. Unfortunately, these curved handles are not easy 
to grip. The most effective way of gripping such curved handles is to 
press the palm of the gripping hand against the outer surface of the 
curved handle at about the center portion of the curved handle, wrap the 
four fingers around the curved handle, and then press the thumb against 
the top of the curved handle. Since the conventional curved handle is made 
of a thin curved bar, the inside of the user's four fingers do not 
actually grip or contact the inside surface of the curved handle, so that 
the user's grip of the handle is not a firm and secure one. A shaky grip 
can be troublesome if the user is carrying a full mug containing hot 
fluids because of the potential for spillage. 
In response to these problems, an attempt has been made to improve the 
user's grip of a curved handle on a conventional mug. FIG. 1 illustrates a 
prior attempt in which a mug 10 is provided with a conventional curved 
handle 12. The curved handle 12 has a central curved portion 14, a top 
curved portion 16 integrally connected to the wall 24 of the mug 10, and a 
bottom curved portion 18 also integrally connected to the wall 24 of the 
mug 10. A gripping bar 20 is provided integrally with the curved handle 
12, with an upper end of the gripping bar 20 integrally connected between 
the central portion 14 and the top portion 16, and a lower end of the 
gripping bar 20 integrally connected between the central portion 14 and 
the bottom portion 18. The gripping bar 20 is arcuate such that its 
central portion 22 is closest to the wall 24 of the mug 10 and furthest 
from the central portion 14 of the curved handle 12, while its upper and 
lower ends are furthest from the wall 24 of the mug 10. The gripping bar 
20 further comprises an abutment 26 extending from the upper outer surface 
of the curved handle 12 and acting as a thumb rest, and a similar abutment 
28 extending from the lower outer surface of the curved handle 12. Three 
ridges 30 define concave regions 32 for receiving the inside surface of 
the user's fingers. 
In use, the user would rest the palm of the gripping hand against the outer 
surface of the central portion 14 of the curved handle 12. The user then 
wraps the fingers around the gripping bar 20 so that the fingers rest 
against the concave regions 32. The thumb is pressed against the upper 
abutment 26. The grip is improved because the four fingers can now firmly 
grip the gripping bar 20 to achieve a firmer and more secure grip, as 
opposed to the conventional curved handle in which the four fingers do not 
have a stable object, such as the gripping bar 20, to place a firm grip 
on. 
While the gripping bar 20 of FIG. 1 achieves the result of improving a 
user's grip, it suffers from the drawback that it is integral and must 
therefore be provided with the mug. Therefore, the consumer must buy the 
new mug with the gripping bar to obtain the improved grip. However, there 
presently exists many conventional mugs provided with conventional or 
standard curved handles, and it is not feasible for a consumer to 
completely replace all these conventional mugs with the new mugs that 
incorporate the gripping bar 20. 
Thus, there remains a need for a simple and removable handle grip piece 
which is effective in improving a user's grip of the handle, and which may 
be adapted for use with any handle of any mug, including the conventional 
curved handle of a conventional mug, to offer the consumer with the 
flexibility of using such a handle grip piece with any mug. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The objects of the present invention may be achieved by providing a handle 
grip piece for use with a handle of a mug. The handle grip piece has first 
and second side pieces, each having an inner edge and an arcuate outer 
surface facing the wall of the mug. Each of the first and second side 
pieces further includes structure for connecting the respective side piece 
to a portion of the handle. Mechanisms are provided along the inner edges 
of the first and second side pieces for connecting the first side piece to 
the second side piece. 
In a first embodiment of the handle grip piece according to the present 
invention, the mechanisms for connecting the first side piece to the 
second side piece include a plurality of protrusions extending from the 
inner edge of the first side piece and a plurality of notches provided 
along the inner edge of the second side piece. The protrusions of the 
first side piece are adapted to be engaged with the notches of the second 
side piece to connect the first side piece to the second side piece. In a 
second embodiment of the handle grip piece according to the present 
invention, opposing velcro pads may be used to connect the first side 
piece to the second side piece. 
In a first embodiment of the handle grip piece according to the present 
invention, the structure for connecting the first side piece to a portion 
of the handle includes an upper curved recess and a lower curved recess, 
and the structure for connecting the second side piece to a portion of the 
handle also includes an upper curved recess and a lower curved recess. The 
upper curved recesses of the first and second side pieces are adapted to 
receive and connect the handle at a location between the central portion 
and the top portion of the handle, and the lower curved recesses of the 
first and second side pieces are adapted to receive and connect the handle 
at a location between the central portion and the bottom portion of the 
handle. 
The handle grip piece according to the present invention further comprises 
a plurality of bumps positioned on the arcuate outer surface of the first 
and second side pieces for enhancing the grip of the user's fingers. Each 
of the first and second side pieces also includes an upper extension that 
can be used as a thumb rest. 
In a first embodiment of the handle grip piece according to the present 
invention, the first and second side pieces are a thin strip of material. 
In a second embodiment of the handle grip piece according to the present 
invention, the first and second side pieces each has an inner arcuate 
surface adapted to engage the curved inner surface of the handle. 
Thus, the handle grip pieces according to the present invention are simple 
and effective devices for improving the user's grip of the handle of a 
mug. The handle grip pieces are easy to use, and can be deployed at the 
handle of any mug and removed for deployment at another mug. Because of 
their simple design and construction, the handle grip pieces are also easy 
and inexpensive to manufacture, so that they can be provided at low cost 
to the public.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
The following detailed description is of the best presently contemplated 
modes of carrying out the invention. This description is not to be taken 
in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating 
general principles of embodiments of the invention. The scope of the 
invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
Although the handle grip pieces described hereinbelow are described and 
illustrated as being adapted for use with conventional or standard 
handles, the present invention is not so limited and may also include 
handle grip pieces provided in certain specific shapes and sizes for 
specific use with mugs having handles with special sizes or shapes. All 
such handle grip pieces are likewise removable and easy to deploy. 
The handle grip piece 40 in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of 
the present invention is shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 6 in use with a 
conventional mug 42. The handle grip piece 40 has two separate side pieces 
44 and 46 that are adapted to be coupled or connected when deployed at the 
handle 8 of the mug 42. Each side piece 44 and 46 is preferably an arcuate 
or curved strip as shown in FIG. 3. Each side piece 44 and 46 has an upper 
extension 50a and 50b, respectively, and a lower extension 52a and 52b, 
respectively. Each side piece 44 and 46 further includes an upper recess 
54a and 54b, respectively, and a lower recess 56a and 56b, respectively, 
provided along the inner edges 62a and 62b, respectively. 
In addition, the two side pieces 44 and 46 include mechanisms for 
connecting the two side pieces 44 and 46 to form the unitary handle grip 
piece 40. In a first preferred embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, the 
connecting mechanism has male protrusions 58 and female notches 60. 
Specifically, a plurality of male protrusions 58 are provided along the 
inner edge 62a of one side piece 44, and are adapted to be received in and 
engaged by a corresponding number of opposing female notches 60 provided 
along the inner edge 62b of the other side piece 46. The male protrusions 
58 and female notches 60 can be provided along the inner edge of either 
side piece 44 and 46 without departing from the spirit and scope of the 
present invention, as long as the protrusions 58 and the notches 60 are 
provided at opposing edges. At least three sets of protrusions 58 and 
notches 60 are preferably provided in spaced-apart manner along the edges 
62a and 62b, with one set provided at the upper extensions 50a, 50b, one 
set at the lower extensions 52a, 52b, and a third set provided between the 
recesses 54a, 54b and 56a, 56b. For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 6, 
three sets of protrusions 58 and notches 60 are provided between the 
recesses 54a, 54b and 56a, 56b. However, the number of sets of protrusions 
58 and notches 60 is not critical, as any number of sets can be provided 
without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
Although sets of protrusions 58 and notches 60 have been described and 
illustrated, other alternative mechanisms can be used to connect the side 
pieces 44 and 46 without departing from the spirit and scope of the 
present invention. As a non-limiting example, opposing velcro pads can be 
provided on the side pieces 44 and 46 and used to connect the side pieces 
44 and 46. 
To deploy the handle grip piece 40, the user separates the two side pieces 
44 and 46, and positions one side piece 44 to the left of the handle 48, 
and the other side piece 46 to the right of the handle 48 (see FIG. 6). 
The two sets of recesses 54a, 54b and 56a, 56b are adapted to receive 
sides of the two corresponding portions of the handle 48, as shown in 
FIGS. 2 and 6. Specifically, the upper recesses 54a, 54b receive a portion 
of the handle 48 between the central portion 68 and the top portion 70, 
and the lower recesses 56a, 56b receive a portion of the handle 48 between 
the central portion 68 and the bottom portion 78. Thus, the recesses 54a, 
54b and 56a, 56b also function to attach or connect the handle grip piece 
40 to the handle 48 when the side pieces 44 and 46 are connected together. 
The side pieces 44 and 46 are arcuate such that the outer surface 66 at 
their central portions 74 are closest to the wall 76 of the mug 42 and 
furthest from the central portion 68 of the handle 48, while the upper and 
lower extensions 50a, 50b and 52a, 52b are furthest from the wall 76 of 
the mug 42. Also, the inner surface 65 of the side pieces 44 and 46 at 
their central portions 74 are furthest from the central portion 68 of the 
handle 48. 
The two side pieces 44 and 46 are then brought together about the handle 48 
and connected together by engaging the male protrusions 58 into the female 
notches 60. After the two side pieces 44 and 46 have been connected, the 
handle grip piece 40 formed therefrom will assume the arcuate 
configuration shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, and the portions of the handle 48 
will be secured within the recesses 54a, 54b and 56a, 56b. Bumps 64 are 
provided on the outer surface 66 of the side pieces 44 and 46 to enhance 
the grip for the user's fingers. The upper extensions 50a and 50b together 
act as a thumb rest. When so deployed, the inside of the user's fingers 
can be rested against the outer surface 66 of the side pieces 44 and 46, 
and the thumb rested against the upper extensions 50a, 50b, to provide a 
more secure and firmer grip. To remove the handle grip piece 40 for use 
with another mug, the user merely pulls the side pieces 44 and 46 apart, 
removes them from the handle 48, and deploys them at the handle of another 
mug. 
The side pieces 44 and 46 are preferably made from a strip of hard rubber 
or plastic material, although other materials such as wood and bamboo, as 
non-limiting examples, can also be used without departing from the spirit 
and scope of the present invention. Such a material is preferably hard 
enough to allow the user's fingers to impart a force against the side 
pieces 44 and 46 without causing the side pieces 44 and 46 to buckle, yet 
has sufficient flexibility to allow the user to adjust the position of the 
handle grip piece 40 along the handle 48. For example, the user may wish 
to position the upper and lower extensions 50a, 50b and 52a, 52b closer to 
each other along the handle 48 to obtain a more arcuate configuration for 
the handle grip piece 40, or to position the upper and lower extensions 
50a, 50b and 52a, 52b further from each other along the handle 48 to 
obtain a less arcuate configuration for the handle grip piece 40. The 
thickness of the side pieces 44 and 46 range from about 0.5 mm to 2.0 mm, 
and is preferably about 1.0 mm. The width W of each side piece 44 and 46 
ranges from about 2.5 inches to 4.5 inches. 
The handle grip piece 80 in accordance with a second preferred embodiment 
of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 in use with the 
conventional mug 42. The handle grip piece 80 is similar to the handle 
grip piece 40, and operates under similar principles, except it differs in 
that the thickness of the handle grip piece 80 is greater than the 
thickness of the handle grip piece 40. The exploded sectional side view of 
FIG. 6 would be the same for both the handle grip piece 40 and the handle 
grip piece 80, except that the numeral designations for the elements of 
the handle grip piece 80 would be different. 
In particular, the handle grip piece 80 likewise has two separate side 
pieces that are adapted to be coupled or connected when deployed at the 
handle 48 of the mug 42. The cross-sectional view of one piece 82 is 
illustrated in FIG. 5. Each side piece 82 has a tear-drop shape 
configuration, with an arcuate outer surface 86 and an arcuate inner 
surface 88. Each side piece 82 also includes an upper extension 90 and a 
lower extension 92 similar to the extensions 50a, 50b and 52a, 52b. Thus, 
the side pieces 82 are configured so that their central portions 68 are 
wider than the extensions 90, 92. Each side piece 82 further includes an 
upper curved recess 94 and a lower curved recess 96 provided along the 
inner edge 98 thereof. 
The connecting mechanisms for the side pieces 82 are preferably the same as 
those described above for the side pieces 44 and 46, and as illustrated in 
FIG. 6. For example, male protrusions provided on the inner edge 98 of one 
side piece can be inserted into the corresponding female notches 100 
provided on the inner edge 98 of the other side piece 82. Alternatively, 
opposing velcro pads (not shown), screws and glue, as non-limiting 
examples, can also be used to connect the side pieces 82. 
The handle grip piece 80 is also deployed in a similar manner. The user 
separates the two side pieces, and positions one side piece to the left of 
the handle 48, and the other side piece 82 to the right of the handle 48. 
The two sets of recesses 94 and 96 are adapted to receive the two 
corresponding portions of the handle 48, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6. 
Specifically, the upper curved recesses 94 receive a portion of the handle 
48 between the central portion 68 and the top portion 70, and the lower 
curved recesses 96 receive a portion of the handle 48 between the central 
portion 68 and the bottom portion 78. The side pieces 82 are arcuate such 
that the central portions 102 of their outer surfaces 86 are closest to 
the wall 76 of the mug 42 and furthest from the central portion 68 of the 
handle 48, while the upper and lower extensions 90 and 92 are furthest 
from the wall 76 of the mug 42. 
The two side pieces 82 are then brought together about the handle 48 and 
connected together by engaging the male protrusions into the female 
notches 100. When the side pieces 82 are connected, the portions of the 
handle 48 are secured within the recesses 94 and 96. The arcuate inner 
surface 88 is preferably shaped to correspond to the inner surface of the 
handle 48, so that a portion of the handle grip piece 80 may be positioned 
against the inner surface of the handle 48 after the two side pieces 82 
have been connected (see FIG. 4). This prevents buckling of the handle 
grip piece 80 when the user grips the handle grip piece 80 firmly, since 
the inside surface of the handle 48 provides the necessary support against 
the force exerted by the user's grip. Bumps 104 are also provided on the 
outer surface 86 of the side pieces 82 to act as finger grips for the 
user's fingers. The upper extensions 90 together act as a thumb rest. When 
so deployed, the inside of the user's fingers can be rested against the 
outer surface 86 of the side pieces 82, and the thumb rested against the 
upper extensions 90 to provide a more secure and firmer grip. To remove 
the handle grip piece 80 for use with another mug, the user merely pulls 
the side pieces 82 apart, removes them from the handle 48, and deploys 
them at the handle of another mug. 
The side pieces 82 are preferably made from hard rubber or plastic, 
although wood and bamboo can also be used without departing from the 
spirit and scope of the present invention. The thickness of the central 
portion 102 of the side pieces 82 range from about 0.5 inches to 1.0 
inches. The width W of each side piece 82 ranges from about 0.5 inches to 
0.75 inches. 
Thus, the handle grip pieces 40 and 80 according to the present invention 
provide a simple and effective device for improving the user's grip of the 
handle of a mug. The handle grip pieces 40 and 80 are easy to use, and can 
be deployed at the handle of any mug. Because of their simple design and 
construction, the handle grip pieces 40 and 80 are also easy and 
inexpensive to manufacture, so that they can be provided at low cost to 
the public. The removable handle grip piece 40 or 80 also allows the user 
the flexibility of removing the handle grip piece 40 or 80 if the user 
feels that it would be aesthetically unpleasing, or of keeping it in place 
at the handle if the user desires to have the improved grip. 
Although the present invention has been described in connection with the 
preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art 
that modifications can be made and alternatives utilized without departing 
from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, the 
configuration and size of the mug 42 is not critical. As a further 
non-limiting example, the shape of the side pieces 44, 46, 82 are not 
critical, although they must be sized and configured to fit the handle of 
the intended mug. As yet another non-limiting example, other mechanisms 
such as screwing or glue can be used to attach or secure the handle grip 
piece 40 or 80 to the handle. Another non-limiting example is that raised 
ridges and concave regions, such as those shown in FIG. 1, can be provided 
instead of the bumps 64 and 104.