Patent Publication Number: US-3878964-A

Title: Case and handle

Description:
Unlted States Patent H 1 1111 3,878,964  
 Fogle Apr. 22, 1975 [5 CASE AND HANDLE 928.101 7/1909 Brakeman 220/96 1.698.915 l/I929 Kircher 220/96 [75] lnvenm Marlin Omnge- 3.124.266 3 1964 220/551 Asslgneei Q-V.S. Inc, E35 Orange.  
 [ Filed: Nov. 28, 1973 55.995 2/1944 Netherlands 220/96 327.95l 3/1958 Switzerland... 220/96 APPL 291.564 6/]928 United Kingdom 240/523 [52] US. Cl. 220/96; 224/46 R Primary E -aminerRobert J. Spar [5 1] Int. Cl. B65d 25/28 Assistant E, -aminer--Kenneth Noland Field fl L 16, Attorney, Agent. or Firm-Rudolph .I. Jurick 248/126; 240/106 F, 8.18. 52.3. 52.5. 57.l. 81, 81 C, 18 BC; 206/305; 220/94. 96, 55.7.  
 55.4. l6/l l5, H0; 224/46, 45 R [57] ABSTRACT A handle mounted for pivotal and slidable movement 5 R f r n Cited on an instrument case, said handle being positionable UNITED STATES PATENTS in any one of three predetermined positions. 627.273 6/1899 Scrbert 220/96 1 Claim, 4 Drawing Figures ull/ CASE AND HANDLE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In certain electrical instruments it is desirable to provide a carrying handle which can be retracted when the instrument is shipped or used in a vertical position. and which can be rotated to support the instrument in an inclined position. Various handle constructions and arrangements have been provided for these purposes. but these are of relatively expensive construction and/or do not provide a positive. rigid support for the instrument when placed in the inclined position.  
  In accordance with this invention. a carrying handle is attached to a case by simple. inexpensive means and in such manner that it provides a positive support for positioning the case at an angle on a flat surface.  
 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A pair of pins extend from the side walls ofa case and project through aligned slots formed in the leg portions of a U-shaped handle. The leg portions of the handle are slidable between a flange and a boss formed integrally with the case, whereby the handle can be moved between retracted and extended positions relative to the case. Also. the handle can be pivoted about the pins to an inclined position relative to the plane of the case and locked in such position.  
  An object of this invention is the provision ofa handle mounted on a case in such manner as to permit positioning of the handle in three positions relative to the case.  
  An object of this invention is the provision of an improved arrangement for attaching a handle to an instrument case. which handle can be moved to an extended or retracted position relative to the case. or can be pivotally moved into a position for supporting the case at an angle on a flat surface.  
  The above-stated and other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description when taken with the accompanying drawings. It will be understood, however. that the drawings are for purposes of illustration and are not to be construed as defining the scope or limits of the invention. reference being had for the latter purpose to the claims appended hereto.  
 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings wherein like reference characters denote like parts in the several views:  
  FIG. I is a front elevational view of an instrument case provided with a handle in accordance with this invention. the handle being shown in the retracted position&#39;.  
 FIG. 2 is a corresponding right side elevational view;  
  FIG. 3 is similar to FIG. 2 but showing the handle in the extended position, and  
  FIG. 4 is a side elevational view showing the handle in the position for supporting the case at an angle on a flat surface.  
 DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown an instrument case 10 having an integral, peripheral flange l1 and feet 12. The front of the case is closed by a panel 13 carrying an electrical indicating instrument I4, adjustable knobs I5 and pin jacks 16. A U-shaped, metal handle 17 has leg portions 18 and 19 spanning the case. which leg portions have aligned slots formed therein, the slot 20 in the leg portion 19 being visible in FIG. 2. Extending from the side walls of the case are a pair of aligned pins 21 and 22, which pins are slidable within the associated slots formed in the leg portions of the handle. Visible in FIG. 2 is an elongated boss 23 formed integrally with the case. The upper edge of this boss is aligned with the lower wall of a notch 24 formed in the case flange 11. A similar boss extends from the opposite side wall of the case and. also. a similar notch is formed in the case flange on the said opposite side of the case.  
  The leg portions of the handle are slidable between the case flange and the two bosses. Thus, the handle can be depressed to the fully retracted position shown in FIG. 2, as when the instrument is packed for shipment or is used in the upright position. Or. the handle can be fully extended as shown in FIG. 3 for carrying purposes. When it is desired to use the instrument in an inclined position. the handle is first extended to the position shown in FIG. 3 and then rotated about the pins extending from the side walls of the case until the leg portions engage the associated bosses. see FIG. 4 wherein the leg portion [9 is in engagement with the boss 23. Now. the handle is pressed toward the case. whereby the ends of the leg portions enter into the notches formed in the case flange. When the handle is in this position. the notches and the bosses prevent counterclockwise and clockwise rotation, respectively. of the handle relative to the case. thereby providing a positive support for the instrument. Upon withdrawing the handle leg portions from the flange notches, the handle can be pivoted back to the position shown in FIG. 3 and depressed to the position shown in FIG. 2.  
  Having now described the invention what I desire to protect by letters patent is set forth in the following claims:  
 I. In combination.  
 a. a case having parallel side walls with flanges extending from said side walls,  
 b. a pair of bosses extending from the case side walls and spaced from said flanges. said bosses including flat side walls.  
 c. a U-shaped handle having leg portions spanning the case and slidable between the said flanges and bosses, said leg portions having aligned slots formed therein,  
 d. a pair of pins extending from the side walls of the case and into the said slots. said handle being slidably movable to a fully extended position relative to the case and then pivotable about the said pins to bring the leg portions into engagement with the said bosses. and  
 e. a pair of notches formed in said flanges. each notch having a wall aligned with the flat side wall of the associated boss, the notches being positioned to receive the ends of the handle leg portions when said leg portions are in engagement with the flat side walls of the bosses.