Abstract:
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.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/259,859, filed on Nov. 25, 2015, the entire contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to mobile (e.g., wheeled) devices and, more particularly, to a handle assembly for such devices. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    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. 
         [0004]    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. 
         [0005]    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. 
         [0006]    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. 
         [0007]    Other independent features and independent aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the following detailed description, claims and accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a mobile device, such as a wheeled storage device (e.g., a portable rolling tool bag). 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is an enlarged exploded view of a handle assembly for the device shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a latch assembly for the handle assembly shown in  FIG. 2 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of a bushing of the latch assembly shown in  FIG. 3   
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the handle assembly of  FIG. 2  taken generally along line  4 - 4  in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the handle assembly of  FIG. 2  taken generally along line  5 - 5  in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a prior art latch assembly. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0015]    Before any independent embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other independent embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
         [0016]    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. 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  illustrates a mobile device  10 , 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 device  10  may 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. 
         [0018]    The device  10  generally includes a frame  14  supported by one or more wheels  18 . As a tool bag, the illustrated device  10  also includes a body  22  defining a storage compartment (not shown), capable of supporting and storing tools, accessories, materials, etc., in an organized manner. A handle assembly  26  is connected to the frame  14  and facilitates maneuvering of the device  10 . 
         [0019]    The handle assembly  26  includes a handle member  30  connected to an end of one or more support arms  34  (two in the illustrated construction) adjustably supported by the frame  14 . Each support arm  34  includes a number of telescoping arm sections  38   a ,  38   b  . . .  38   n  (three in the illustrated construction). The arm sections  38   a - 38   c  are adjustable between an extended position (see  FIGS. 1-2 ) and a retracted position (not shown) to adjust the position of the handle member  30  relative to the frame  14  and the body  22 . 
         [0020]    Each arm section  38  is an elongated hollow member with a substantially uniform cross-section extending along its length. Each outer arm section (e.g., the arm section  38   b ) has a cross-section sized to slidingly receive an associated inner arm section (e.g., the arm section  38   a ) having a relatively smaller concentric cross-section. In the illustrated embodiment, each arm section  38  has a generally rectangular cross-section defined by a pair of short walls  47  and a pair of long walls  48 . In other embodiments (not shown), the arm sections  38  may have any shape cross-section with corresponding walls. 
         [0021]    With reference to  FIGS. 1-2 , a latch assembly  42  is provided between adjacent arm sections  38  to selectively and releasably hold the arm sections  38  in the extended position. In the illustrated construction, each outer arm section (e.g., the arm section  38   b ) defines a recess (e.g., an opening  46 ) proximate its upper end  39 , and each inner arm section (e.g., the arm section  38   a ) supports a projection  50  proximate its lower end  40 . Each projection  50  is selectively engageable in an associated opening  46  to hold the adjacent arm sections (e.g., the arm sections  38   a ,  38   b ) in a selected relative position. In the illustrated embodiment, the opening  46  arranged to receive the projection  50  is defined in one of the short walls  47 . 
         [0022]    Each projection  50  (see  FIG. 3 ) is movably supported on a lower portion  55  of a latch body  54 . The lower portion  55  of the latch body  54  is sized to be slidingly received in the outer arm section  38  (e.g., the arm section  38   b ) and is too large to be received in the inner arm section  38  (e.g., the arm section  38   a ). An actuating member  58  is operable to move the projection  50  relative to the body  54  between a projected, latching position (see  FIG. 3 ) and a retracted, release position (see  FIG. 5 ). An actuator (not shown) is operable by the user to retract and disengage each projection  50  from its associated recess  46  so that the arm sections  38  can be retracted and the handle member  30  lowered. 
         [0023]    The body  54  is fixed to the arm section (e.g., the arm section  38   a ), for example, by a rivet  62  ( FIGS. 2 and 4 ), or a similar fastener, such as a pin, etc. In the illustrated construction, the rivet  62  extends through a pair of openings  64  defined in the long walls  48  of the arm section  38  adjacent the lower end  40  of the arm section  38  and an opening  66  in an upper portion  56  of the body  54  aligned with the openings  64  (as shown in  FIG. 4 ). In the illustrated embodiment, one end of the rivet  62  has a pre-formed head and the other end of the rivet  62  is deformed to secure the rivet  62  from being axially removed from the opening  66  in the body  54 . 
         [0024]    The upper portion  56  of the body  54  is sized to be received in the lower end  40  of the inner arm section  38  (e.g., the arm section  38   a ), as shown in  FIGS. 4-5 . The lower portion  55  of the body  54  inhibits insertion of the upper portion  56  of the body  54  into the arm section  38  to a position in which the openings  64  in the long walls  48  do not align with the opening  66  in the body  54 . 
         [0025]    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. 
         [0026]    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 (see  FIG. 6 ). 
         [0027]    As shown in  FIGS. 2-5 , the illustrated latch assembly  42  incorporates a shock-absorbing mount  70  ( FIG. 3A ) operable to absorb, dampen, limit, reduce, etc. a shock or impact between the frame  14  and the handle member  30  (e.g., between the body  54  and the walls  47 ,  48  of the adjacent arm section  38 ). The mount  70  may increase or contribute to an increase in the life, strength, durability, etc. of the handle assembly  26  to, for example, at least 30 miles or more in the fatigue cyclic loading “life test”. 
         [0028]    In the illustrated construction, the mount  70  includes a bushing  74  received in the opening  66  and is positioned between the body  54  and the rivet  62 . The bushing  74  is 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 bushing  74  can be adjusted based on, for example, the desired shock-absorbing characteristics. 
         [0029]    As illustrated, the bushing  74  is formed as a discrete or separate part and is inserted into the opening  66 . In other constructions (not shown), the bushing  74  may be formed with the body  54 , for example, in a multi-shot molding process for the body  54 . After the bushing  74  is assembled with the body  54 , the rivet  62  is inserted. 
         [0030]    In operation with the illustrated mount  70 , an impact or shock on the device  10  (e.g., on the wheels  18  as the device  10  is rolled across an uneven surface) is transmitted through the frame  14  to the outer arm section (e.g., the arm section  38   b ), through the walls  47 ,  48  of the arm section  38   b  to the body  54 . The shock is absorbed or dampened by the bushing  74  before reaching the rivet  62  and, through the rivet  62 , the inner arm section (e.g., the arm section  38   a ) and the handle member  30 . An impact or shock on the handle member  30  is likewise absorbed or dampened by the bushing  74  before reaching the walls  47 ,  48  of the outer arm section  38   b . Providing a mount  70  between each of the adjacent arm sections  38  sequentially reduces the magnitude of the impact or shock as it passes through each of the mounts  70 . 
         [0031]    In other constructions (not shown), in addition to or as an alternative to the illustrated mount  70 , a shock-absorbing mount may be provided at one or more other locations between components in the force-transmitting path between the frame  14  and the handle member  30 . For example, a shock-absorbing bushing, plate, other structure, etc., may be provided between the long walls  48  of the outer arm section  38   b  and the end of the rivet  62 . In another example, a shock-absorbing mount may be provided between the frame  14  and the adjacent arm section  38   c.    
         [0032]    In the illustrated construction, the mount  70  has the form of the hollow cylindrical (e.g., tubular) bushing  74  received in the circular opening  66  and receiving the cylindrical rivet  62 . In other constructions, the mount  70  may have a different form factor. For example, with a square or rectangular pin (not shown), the mount  70  may 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.). 
         [0033]    In the illustrated construction, a shock-absorbing mount  70  is provided between each adjacent arm section  38  of each support arm  34  of the handle assembly  26 . Accordingly, each additional connection and corresponding mount  70  increases the impact or shock reduction capability. In other constructions (not shown), a shock-absorbing mount  70  may be provided between only selected adjacent arm sections (e.g., between only the arm sections  38   b ,  38   c  closest to the frame  14 ). 
         [0034]    One or more independent features and/or independent advantages of the invention may be set forth in the claims.