Handle assembly for a case

A telescoping handle assembly, a mobile device, and a method of assembling a telescoping handle assembly for a mobile device. The handle assembly may include a first handle section, and a second handle section telescopingly arranged relative to the first handle section. The handle assembly may further include a latch assembly fixed to one of the first handle section and the second handle section and selectively engageable with the other of the first handle section and the second handle section. The latch assembly may include a latch body positioned between the first handle section and the second handle section and a shock-absorbing mount positioned between the latch body and the one of the first handle section and the second handle section.

FIELD

The present invention relates to mobile (e.g., wheeled) devices and, more particularly, to a handle assembly for such devices.

SUMMARY

Tool storage devices are often used to transport tools and accessories between and around worksites. As such, the devices may include wheels and a telescoping handle assembly to allow for convenient transportation of the tool storage devices. However, durability is a factor because the devices may be used in various terrain and weather conditions on the worksite. Due to these conditions and the generally rugged use, the devices sustain various shocks and impacts that are transmitted from the device (e.g., the wheels) through the telescoping handle assembly. These impacts and shocks can lead to early failure of the mechanism that secures the telescoping handle assembly in an extended position.

In one independent aspect, a telescoping handle assembly for a mobile device, such as a wheeled device, a storage device, etc. may be provided. The handle assembly may generally include a first handle section; a second handle section telescopingly arranged relative to the first handle section; and a latch assembly fixed to one of the first handle section and the second handle section and selectively engageable with the other of the first handle section and the second handle section. The latch assembly may include a latch body positioned between the first handle section and the second handle section, and a shock-absorbing mount positioned between the latch body and the one of the first handle section and the second handle section.

In another independent aspect, a wheeled mobile device may generally include a frame; a wheel assembly supporting the frame; and a telescoping handle assembly including a first handle section, a second handle section telescopingly arranged relative to the first handle section, and a latch assembly fixed to one of the first handle section and the second handle section and selectively engageable with the other of the first handle section and the second handle section. The latch assembly may include a latch body positioned between the first handle section and the second handle section, and a shock-absorbing mount positioned between the latch body and the one of the first handle section and the second handle section.

In yet another independent aspect, a method of assembling a telescoping handle assembly for a mobile device may be provided. The method may generally include fixing a latch body of a latch assembly to one of a first handle section and a second handle section; positioning a shock-absorbing mount between the latch body and the one of the first handle section and the second handle section; and inserting the one of the first handle section and the second handle section into the other of the first handle section and the second handle section in a telescoping arrangement with the latch assembly positioned in the other of the first handle section and the second handle section.

Other independent features and independent aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the following detailed description, claims and accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Use of “including” and “comprising” and variations thereof as used herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Use of “consisting of” and variations thereof as used herein is meant to encompass only the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof.

FIG. 1illustrates a mobile device10, such as a portable rolling tool bag, movable between and around various locations (e.g., work sites, construction sites, garages, etc.). Exemplary devices are shown and described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0023349, filed Jul. 17, 2015, the entire contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference. In other constructions (not shown), the device10may include a tool box, a storage device, a suitcase, a trolley, a dolly, a hand truck, a cart, a wheel barrow, a stroller, a wheel chair, a bed, a table, etc.

The device10generally includes a frame14supported by one or more wheels18. As a tool bag, the illustrated device10also includes a body22defining a storage compartment (not shown), capable of supporting and storing tools, accessories, materials, etc., in an organized manner. A handle assembly26is connected to the frame14and facilitates maneuvering of the device10.

The handle assembly26includes a handle member30connected to an end of one or more support arms34(two in the illustrated construction) adjustably supported by the frame14. Each support arm34includes a number of telescoping arm sections38a,38b. . .38n(three in the illustrated construction). The arm sections38a-38care adjustable between an extended position (seeFIGS. 1-2) and a retracted position (not shown) to adjust the position of the handle member30relative to the frame14and the body22.

Each arm section38is an elongated hollow member with a substantially uniform cross-section extending along its length. Each outer arm section (e.g., the arm section38b) has a cross-section sized to slidingly receive an associated inner arm section (e.g., the arm section38a) having a relatively smaller concentric cross-section. In the illustrated embodiment, each arm section38has a generally rectangular cross-section defined by a pair of short walls47and a pair of long walls48. In other embodiments (not shown), the arm sections38may have any shape cross-section with corresponding walls.

With reference toFIGS. 1-2, a latch assembly42is provided between adjacent arm sections38to selectively and releasably hold the arm sections38in the extended position. In the illustrated construction, each outer arm section (e.g., the arm section38b) defines a recess (e.g., an opening46) proximate its upper end39, and each inner arm section (e.g., the arm section38a) supports a projection50proximate its lower end40. Each projection50is selectively engageable in an associated opening46to hold the adjacent arm sections (e.g., the arm sections38a,38b) in a selected relative position. In the illustrated embodiment, the opening46arranged to receive the projection50is defined in one of the short walls47.

Each projection50(seeFIG. 3) is movably supported on a lower portion55of a latch body54. The lower portion55of the latch body54is sized to be slidingly received in the outer arm section38(e.g., the arm section38b) and is too large to be received in the inner arm section38(e.g., the arm section38a). An actuating member58is operable to move the projection50relative to the body54between a projected, latching position (seeFIG. 3) and a retracted, release position (seeFIG. 5). An actuator (not shown) is operable by the user to retract and disengage each projection50from its associated recess46so that the arm sections38can be retracted and the handle member30lowered.

The body54is fixed to the arm section (e.g., the arm section38a), for example, by a rivet62(FIGS. 2 and 4), or a similar fastener, such as a pin, etc. In the illustrated construction, the rivet62extends through a pair of openings64defined in the long walls48of the arm section38adjacent the lower end40of the arm section38and an opening66in an upper portion56of the body54aligned with the openings64(as shown inFIG. 4). In the illustrated embodiment, one end of the rivet62has a pre-formed head and the other end of the rivet62is deformed to secure the rivet62from being axially removed from the opening66in the body54.

The upper portion56of the body54is sized to be received in the lower end40of the inner arm section38(e.g., the arm section38a), as shown inFIGS. 4-5. The lower portion55of the body54inhibits insertion of the upper portion56of the body54into the arm section38to a position in which the openings64in the long walls48do not align with the opening66in the body54.

A similar handle assembly including a latch assembly is illustrated and described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,339,863, issued Jan. 22, 2002, and in U.S. Pat. No. 6,619,448, issued Sep. 16, 2003, the entire contents of both of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

In existing handle assemblies, a failure mode is a fracture around the rivet which causes the handle assembly to fail at 17 to 22 miles in a fatigue cyclic loading “life test”. Such failure is likely to occur even with improved materials, geometry of an existing latch assembly (seeFIG. 6).

As shown inFIGS. 2-5, the illustrated latch assembly42incorporates a shock-absorbing mount70(FIG. 3A) operable to absorb, dampen, limit, reduce, etc. a shock or impact between the frame14and the handle member30(e.g., between the body54and the walls47,48of the adjacent arm section38). The mount70may increase or contribute to an increase in the life, strength, durability, etc. of the handle assembly26to, for example, at least 30 miles or more in the fatigue cyclic loading “life test”.

In the illustrated construction, the mount70includes a bushing74received in the opening66and is positioned between the body54and the rivet62. The bushing74is formed of shock-absorbing material, such as, for example, urethane (e.g., thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU)), soft plastic, rubber, etc. The material, material characteristics, structure, etc. of the bushing74can be adjusted based on, for example, the desired shock-absorbing characteristics.

As illustrated, the bushing74is formed as a discrete or separate part and is inserted into the opening66. In other constructions (not shown), the bushing74may be formed with the body54, for example, in a multi-shot molding process for the body54. After the bushing74is assembled with the body54, the rivet62is inserted.

In operation with the illustrated mount70, an impact or shock on the device10(e.g., on the wheels18as the device10is rolled across an uneven surface) is transmitted through the frame14to the outer arm section (e.g., the arm section38b), through the walls47,48of the arm section38bto the body54. The shock is absorbed or dampened by the bushing74before reaching the rivet62and, through the rivet62, the inner arm section (e.g., the arm section38a) and the handle member30. An impact or shock on the handle member30is likewise absorbed or dampened by the bushing74before reaching the walls47,48of the outer arm section38b. Providing a mount70between each of the adjacent arm sections38sequentially reduces the magnitude of the impact or shock as it passes through each of the mounts70.

In other constructions (not shown), in addition to or as an alternative to the illustrated mount70, a shock-absorbing mount may be provided at one or more other locations between components in the force-transmitting path between the frame14and the handle member30. For example, a shock-absorbing bushing, plate, other structure, etc., may be provided between the long walls48of the outer arm section38band the end of the rivet62. In another example, a shock-absorbing mount may be provided between the frame14and the adjacent arm section38c.

In the illustrated construction, the mount70has the form of the hollow cylindrical (e.g., tubular) bushing74received in the circular opening66and receiving the cylindrical rivet62. In other constructions, the mount70may have a different form factor. For example, with a square or rectangular pin (not shown), the mount70may include a pad (e.g., a flat isolation pad) engaging between the pin and the associated support structure (e.g., the opening in the latch body, the opening in the wall of the arm section, etc.).

In the illustrated construction, a shock-absorbing mount70is provided between each adjacent arm section38of each support arm34of the handle assembly26. Accordingly, each additional connection and corresponding mount70increases the impact or shock reduction capability. In other constructions (not shown), a shock-absorbing mount70may be provided between only selected adjacent arm sections (e.g., between only the arm sections38b,38cclosest to the frame14).

One or more independent features and/or independent advantages of the invention may be set forth in the claims.