Patent Publication Number: US-6658698-B2

Title: Handle structure for suitcase or the like

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a handle structure for a suitcase or the like and the handle has a soft casing with an identification member on a top of the casing. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A conventional handle for a suitcase or the like generally includes a solid portion with a leather outer sleeve. The conventional handle has only few shape so that the handles of everybody&#39;s suitcase are similar. However, the market requires more characterized handles that represent an unique value or taste of the users. Another disadvantage is that because the handles are all similar, so that it is difficult for the users to identify their suitcases among the travelers&#39; luggage. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a handle structure which comprises a body received in an outer casing which includes a base and a cap. The base has a recess defined in an outer periphery thereof and a passage is defined through the base. The passage communicates with the recess and the body is received in the passage. The cap is engaged with the recess. A plurality of first engaging devices are located in an inner periphery of the recess of the base and a plurality of second engaging devices are located on the cap and engaged with the first engaging devices. 
     The primary object of the present invention is to provide a handle structure that provides a removable cap on the base of the handle so as to provide an identification function. 
     The present invention will become more obvious from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which show, for purposes of illustration only, two preferred embodiments in accordance with the present invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is an exploded view to show the handle structure of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view to show the handle structure of the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is an end cross sectional view to show the engagement of the handle structure of the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view to show another embodiment of the handle structure of the present invention, and 
     FIG. 5 is an end cross sectional view to show the engagement of the handle structure of the present invention as shown in FIG.  4 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to FIGS. 1 to  3 , the handle structure of the present invention comprises a solid body  1  which is received in an outer casing  2  which is composed of a base  20  and a cap  21 . The base  20  has a recess  200  defined in an outer periphery thereof and a passage  203  defined through the base  20 . The passage  203  communicates with the recess  200 . A sleeve  3  is mounted on the body  1  and the body  1  is received in the passage  203 . The two ends of the sleeve  3  are fixed on a suitcase  6  by using rivets  5  and fixing plates  4  on the suitcase  6 . A plurality of first engaging devices  201  such as notches are defined in an inner periphery of the recess  200  of the base  20  and a plurality of second engaging devices  210  such as lugs are located on the cap  21 . The lugs are engaged with the notches to position the cap  21 . A plurality of grooves and ribs  205  are defined in the outer periphery of the base  20  and face the suitcase  6  so that the user&#39;s hand may hold the handle comfortably. 
     FIGS. 4 and 5 show another embodiment of the handle structure wherein an engaging recess  211  is defined in the cap  21  and an identification member  22  engaged with the engaging recess  211 . The engaging recess  211  has notches  212  defined in two sides of the inside thereof and the identification member  22  has protrusions  220  extending therefrom, the protrusions  220  are engaged with the notches  212 . The identification member  22  has an unique color or shape so that the user can see his/her suitcase among others&#39; luggage. 
     While we have shown and described the embodiment in accordance with the present invention, it should be clear to those skilled in the art that further embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.