Abstract:
A carrier is provided which is removably attachable to at least a portion of a handle of an object for more easily and ergonomically carrying the object. The carrier includes a first housing and a second housing. The first housing is rotatable with respect to the base of the first housing about a first axis. The second housing is attached to the base of the first housing and is pivotable relative to first housing about a second axis extending generally perpendicularly to the first axis between an open position in which at least a portion of the base of the first housing is at least partially separated from the second housing and a closed position forming a grip having a longitudinal axis spaced apart from the second axis and defining with the second axis a plane perpendicular to the first axis. The grip is configured to releasably receive and retain a portion of the handle of the object.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application is a continuation of copending U.S. application Ser. No. 13/917,248 filed Jun. 13, 2013, which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
         [0002]    The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/781,645, filed on Mar. 14, 2013 and entitled “Carrier Removably Attachable To An Object For More Easily And Ergonomically Carrying The Object,” which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present invention relates generally to a carrier removably attachable to an object and, more particularly, to a carrier removably attachable to a portion of a handle of a children&#39;s car seat or other seat or carrier. 
         [0004]    Conventional car or other seats or carriers are well known for safely and conveniently transporting a relatively young or small child, such as a baby or infant. Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , as a child  11  grows, it can be awkward and/or difficult for an adult or other individual  13  to lift or move such a car seat  10  or other seat or carrier by a handle  12  thereof. 
         [0005]    For example, the orientation of the handle  12  often requires that the palm  13   a  (see  FIG. 6 ) of the individual  13  carrying the seat  10  must be in a frontward position (toward the direction of movement) or rearward position (opposite the direction of movement). However, it is not always ergonomically natural for many individuals to carry a relatively heavy weight at their side with their palm  13   a  in either of these positions. Instead, it is often more natural for an individual&#39;s palm  13   a  to be positioned inwardly (i.e., approximately ninety degrees from the direction of movement). Given the length of a typical car seat  10 , it can be difficult to carry the car seat  10  with the individual&#39;s palm  13  positioned inwardly because doing so often results in the car seat  10  hitting the individual  13  (such as in the leg). 
         [0006]    It has yet to be discovered how to more easily, ergonomically and comfortably carry a children&#39;s car seat or other seat or object. In particular, it has yet to be discovered how to create an attachment removably mountable to a handle of a children&#39;s seat or another carrier object, wherein at least a portion of the attachment conveniently rotates with respect to the handle to allow an individual to more easily, naturally and/or comfortably carry the seat or the object. The present invention accomplishes the above and other objectives. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    Briefly stated, one aspect of the present invention is directed to a carrier removably attachable to at least a portion of a handle of an object. The carrier includes a first housing having a handle and a base. The handle of the first housing is rotatable with respect to the base of the first housing about a first axis. A second housing is pivotally attached to the base of the first housing about a second axis. The second axis extends generally perpendicularly to the first axis. The carrier is pivotable between an open configuration in which at least a portion of the base of the first housing is at least partially separated from the second housing to receive at least a portion of a handle of an object therebetween and a closed configuration in which at least a portion of the base of the first housing and the second housing combine to surround the handle of the object therebetween. 
         [0008]    In another aspect, the present invention is directed to a combination including an object and a carrier. The object includes a handle and the carrier is removably attachable to at least a portion of the handle of the object. The carrier includes a first housing having a handle and a base. The handle of the first housing is rotatable with respect to the base of the first housing about a first axis. A second housing is pivotally attached to the base of the first housing about a second axis. The second axis extends generally perpendicularly to the first axis. The carrier is pivotable between an open configuration in which at least a portion of the base of the first housing is at least partially separated from the second housing to receive at least a portion of the handle of the object therebetween and a closed configuration in which at least a portion of the base of the first housing and the second housing combine to surround of the handle of the object. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of the invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings an embodiment which is presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. 
           [0010]    In the drawings: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of a carrier in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, wherein the carrier is shown in a closed or use configuration; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a top perspective view of the carrier of  FIG. 1 , wherein the carrier is shown in an open or installation configuration; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a top perspective view of the carrier of  FIG. 1 , wherein certain portions of the carrier are shown as being at least partially transparent for clarity; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the carrier of  FIG. 1 , wherein certain portions of the carrier are omitted for clarity; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the carrier of  FIG. 1  attached to a child seat to be carried, wherein the carrier is shown in an ergonomically comfortable configuration; and 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the carrier of  FIG. 1  attached to a child seat to be carried, wherein the carrier is shown in a less ergonomically comfortable configuration. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0017]    Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience only and is not limiting. The words “lower,” “bottom,” “upper,” “top,” “frontward” and “rearward” designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The words “upwardly,” “inwardly” and “outwardly” refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the device, and designated parts thereof, in accordance with the present invention. Unless specifically set forth herein, the terms “a,” “an” and “the” are not limited to one element, but instead should be read as meaning “at least one.” The terminology includes the words noted above, derivatives thereof and words of similar import. 
         [0018]    Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein like numerals indicate like elements throughout the several views,  FIGS. 1-4  illustrate an attachment or carrier, generally designated  14 , and  FIGS. 5-6  illustrate a combination including the carrier  14  and an object, such as a children&#39;s car or other seat, generally designated  10 , in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The carrier  14  is designed to allow a user or individual  13  (see  FIGS. 5 and 6 ) to more easily, ergonomically and comfortably carry the car seat  10  or some other type of seat or object (not shown). 
         [0019]    The carrier  14  is preferably conveniently separable from and removably attachable to at least a portion of the car seat  10 , such as a handle  12  thereof, without the use of tools. The handle  12  may be at least partially arcuate and/or in the shape of a generally inverted U, and assists the user  13  in lifting or transporting the car seat  10 , generally by one hand. The handle  12  preferably defines a passageway  15  with a remainder of the car seat  10 , and the handle  12  is preferably pivotably attached to a reminder of the car seat  10 . However, the combination is not limited to the inclusion of the car seat  10 , as the carrier  14  may be removably attachable to almost any object, such as a basket, a shopping or grocery bag, luggage, one or more skis, a ladder, a shovel, a toolbox or the like, which is often carried or transported by an individual  13 . 
         [0020]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-6 , the carrier  14  preferably includes a first or upper housing  16  having a handle  22  and a base  24 . The handle  22  of the first housing  16  preferably defines a slot or opening  25  that is sized, shaped and/or configured to receive at least a portion of the user&#39;s hand therein. The user&#39;s hand preferably grasps the carrier  14  with his/her palm  13   a  and fingers  13   b  (see  FIG. 6 ) to lift the car seat  10 . The handle  22  of the first housing  16  is preferably rotatable with respect to the base  24  of the first housing  16  about a first or vertical axis A 1  (see  FIG. 1 ). The first axis A 1  preferably extends generally, if not exactly, vertically or perpendicularly to a ground or other support surface when the car seat  10  is being carried or is resting on the ground or other support surface. As described in more detail below, the handle  22  of the first housing  16  is preferably rotatable with respect to the base  24  of the first housing  16  over a span of at least or up to 360°. 
         [0021]    The carrier  14  also preferably includes a second or lower housing  18  that is pivotably attached to at least a portion of the first housing  16 . More particularly, the second housing  18  is preferably pivotably attached to the base  24  of the first housing  16  about a second or horizontal axis A 2  (see  FIG. 1 ). The second axis A 2  preferably extends generally, if not exactly, perpendicularly to the first axis A 1 , Thus, the second axis A 2  preferably extends generally, if not exactly, parallel to the ground or other support surface when the car seat  10  is being carried or is placed on the ground surface. The first and second housings  16 ,  18 , and at least certain other components of the carrier  14 , may be formed of a high strength, light weight material, such as a polymeric or metallic material or combination of materials. 
         [0022]    As shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , the carrier  14  may include a hinge  20  proximate one side or an outer periphery thereof. The hinge  20  preferably pivotally attaches the second housing  18  to the base  24  of the first housing  16 . The hinge  20  may be formed simply as a portion of the base  24  of the housing  16  inserted into a portion of the second housing  18 . However, the hinge  20  is not limited to the particular configuration shown and described herein. Instead, the hinge  20  may have any of a variety of forms, such as one or more barrel hinges, pivot hinges, living hinges and the like. 
         [0023]    As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the carrier  14  is preferably positionable in and/or pivotable or movable between a first or open configuration (see  FIG. 2 ) and a second or closed configuration (see  FIG. 1 ). In the open configuration, at least a portion of the base  24  of the first housing  16  is preferably at least partially separated from or pivoted with respect to the second housing  18  to receive at least a portion of the handle  12  of the car seat  10  therebetween. The base  24  of the first housing  16  may only be pivotable with respect to the second housing  18  about the second axis A 2  by a relatively small angle, such as approximately 20-45°. The angle is preferably sufficiently large to allow the handle  12  of the car seat  10  to be positioned between the second housing  18  and the base  24  of the first housing  16 . In the closed configuration, at least a portion of the base  24  of the first housing  16  and the second housing  18  completely surround at least a portion of the handle  12  of the car seat  10 . In the closed configured, at least a portion of a planar bottom surface  40  of the base  24  of the first housing  16  contacts and/or extends parallel to at least a portion of a planar top surface  42  of the second housing  18 . 
         [0024]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-6 , a fastener  23 , such as a thumbscrew, is preferably positioned on and/or attached to the base  24  of the first housing  16  or the second housing  18  (not shown) generally opposite the hinge  20 . The fastener  23  permits the user  13  to selectively lock the base  24  of the first housing  16  to the second housing  18  in the closed configuration. The fastener  23  may be a threaded shaft  23   a  that extends through corresponding threaded holes in both the second housing  18  and the base  24  of the first housing  16 . The fastener  23  may have an enlarged head or handle  23   b  that extends upwardly beyond a portion of the base  24  of the first housing  16  when the fastener  23  is attached to the base  24  of the first housing  16 . The enlarged head  23   b  preferably allows the user  13  to more easily and quickly rotate the fastener  23  to thereby attach and/or remove the fastener  23  from the second housing  18  and the base  24  of the first housing  16 . 
         [0025]    However, the fastener  23  is not limited to the size, shape and/or configuration shown and described herein. For example, the fastener  23  may be a C-shaped or other clamp (not shown) that extends around at least a portion of the second housing  18  and the base  24  of the first housing  16  to generally lock the carrier  14  in the closed configuration. Alternatively, the fastener  23  may not be completely removable from both the second housing  18  and the base  24  of the first housing  16 , which would reduce the possibility that the fastener  23  is inadvertently misplaced by the user  13  when not in use. For example, the fastener  23  may be a clip (not shown) that is pivotably and/or slidably attached to one of the second housing  18  and the base  24  of the first housing  16 , and is removably attached to the other of the second housing  18  and the base  24  of the first housing  16  to generally lock the carrier  14  in the closed configuration. 
         [0026]    As shown in  FIGS. 1-3 ,  5  and  6 , a passageway  30  preferably extends completely through the carrier  14  and is defined by at least a portion of the second housing  18  and the base  24  of the first housing  16 . Each of the second housing  18  and the base  24  of the first housing  16  preferably has an arcuate or semi-circular portion that when combined form the passageway  30  when the carrier  14  is in the closed configuration. When the carrier  14  is in the closed configuration, the passageway  30  is preferably configured to receive and surround at least a portion of the handle  12  of the car seat  10  therein. The passageway  30  preferably has a generally cylindrical shape and extends generally, if not exactly, parallel to the second axis A 2 . The passageway  30  preferably at least generally tightly engages the handle  12  of the car seat  10  with at least a friction fit. 
         [0027]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , resilient foam  32  or another elastic and/or resilient material is preferably located within a portion of the passageway  30 . The foam  32  preferably contacts and provides a gripping force for at least a portion of the handle  12  of the car seat  10  when the carrier  14  is attached to the car seat  10 . The foam  32  generally reduces the cross-sectional area of the passageway  30 . However, the resilient or flexible nature of the foam  32  preferably adapts or conforms to a portion of the handle  12  of the car seat  10  when the carrier  14  is mounted to the handle  12  in the closed configuration. Thus, the foam  32  also allows the carrier  14  to accommodate handles  12  of various diameter or thickness. As a result, the carrier  14  can be considered “universal,” such that the carrier  14  can adapt to handles of car seats or other objects of various sizes and shapes. 
         [0028]    Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the carrier  14  may include a latch  28  that is pivotably attached to the base  24  of the first housing  16 . The latch  28  is preferably pivotable with respect to the base  24  of the first housing  16  about a third axis A 3  (see  FIGS. 3 and 4 ) that extends generally, if not exactly, parallel to the first axis A 1 . The first axis A 1  is preferably laterally and/or radially spaced-apart from the third axis A 3 . At least a portion of the latch  28  is preferably positioned within the handle  22  of the first housing  16 . A biasing member  29 , such as a coil spring, preferably engages at least a portion of the latch  28  and a portion of an interior of the handle  22  of the first housing  16 . The biasing member  29  preferably biases at least a free end  28   a  of the latch  28  radially outwardly with respect to a geometric center of the carrier  14 . 
         [0029]    An interior portion of the handle  22  of the first housing  16  preferably includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart teeth or projections  26  that extend radially inwardly toward a geometric center of the carrier  14 . The latch  28  and at least one of the teeth  26  preferably prevents, or at least discourages or hinders, the handle  22  of the first housing  16  from rotating with respect to the base  24  of the first housing  16  in a first rotational direction (e.g., counterclockwise when viewed from above). In particular, if the user  13  attempts to rotate the handle  22  of the first housing  16  in the first rotational direction, at least a portion of the free end  28   a  of the latch  28  preferably engages or contacts one of the teeth  26 , thereby at least making it more difficult to rotate the first housing  16  in the first rotational direction. 
         [0030]    However, the latch  28  and teeth  26  permit the handle  22  of the first housing  16  to freely rotate with respect to the base  24  of the first housing  16  in a second rotational direction (e.g., clockwise when viewed from above). In particular, as the user  13  rotates the handle  22  of the first housing  16  in the second rotational direction, at least a portion of the free end  28   a  of the latch  28  slides over at least a portion of one or more of the teeth or projections  26  on the interior of the handle  22  of the first housing  16 , such as a sloped sidewall thereof, to permit the handle  22  of the first housing  16  to rotate with respect to the base  24  of the first housing  16  in the second rotational direction. In other words, as the handle  22  of the first housing  16  rotates with respect to the base  24  of the first housing  16  in the second rotational direction, at least the free end  28   a  of the latch  28  is intermittently moved at least slightly radially inwardly against the sloped sidewall of at least one or more of the teeth  26 . 
         [0031]    In use, the adult or other user  13  preferably opens the carrier  14  to the configuration shown in  FIG. 2  and locates at least a portion of the handle  12  within at least a portion of the passageway  18  of the carrier  14 . The adult  13  then preferably closes the carrier  14  so as to surround the handle  12 , as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . The fastener  23  may then be rotated or moved to an engaged position (see  FIG. 1 , for example), to generally “lock” the carrier  14  in the closed position. The adult  13  then preferably grasps at least a portion of the handle  22  of the first housing  16  of the carrier  14  to lift and/or move the carrier  14  and the object  10 . The handle  22  of the first housing  16  of the carrier  14  preferably freely moves between the positions shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6  depending upon the positioning of the adult  13  and the object  10 , so as to provide a more comfortable and ergonomically correct orientation of the adult&#39;s hand. 
         [0032]    It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. For example, the location and/or orientation of the latch  28  and the teeth  26  may be reversed. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.