Abstract:
A hand grip device for carrying articles includes a gripping member and an optional coupling member. The gripping member includes a body with ends that define the maximum body diameter of the gripping member. The longitudinal center of the body defines the minimum body diameter of the gripping member. The coupling member may be a strap that connects the gripping member to the article to be carried. The hand grip device functions as a handle that is lightweight, strong, and disperses the weight of the carried article across the palmar side of a hand.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention is directed toward a hand grip device for carried articles and, in particular, to a handle for luggage and similar objects that must be carried by hand. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Luggage such as bags and suitcases are often designed to incorporate comfort elements that render them more comfortable for a person to carry that luggage. For example, a luggage handle may be contoured along its underside to receive the palmar side of the fingers of the person that holds the bag. Each hand, however, is unique in its size and shape. A specially contoured handle suitable for an “average” hand is less suitable for persons whose hand deviates in size and/or shape from that average. Alternatively, a luggage handle may include a layer of resilient material designed to conform to a hand gripping the handle. This material, however, deforms easily; consequently, the luggage item cannot be firmly held unless the handle is grasped so tightly as to squeeze all of the resilience of the layer. This often causes fatigue of the hand muscles. 
         [0003]    Another approach has been to provide a generally cylindrical handle that varies in diameter with the largest diametric segment midway between ends including the smallest diametric segment (i.e., the handle is fatter in the center than at its ends). Persons carrying heavy luggage with this type of handle, however, tend to find the handle uncomfortable because the middle and fourth fingers of the hand are required to carry most of the weight of the object being carried. 
         [0004]    A handle design must also address other important parameters such as the weight of the handle and the positional stability of the handle in a person&#39;s hand. It is undesirable for the handle to add significantly to the load being carried. The handle, moreover, must be configured such that it will not slip from the person&#39;s hand. 
         [0005]    Thus, it is desirable to provide a handle that is comfortable, strong, and lightweight and overcomes to above drawbacks. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention is directed toward a hand grip device that disperses the load of the article being carried across the palmar side of the hand. The hand grip device includes a body and, optionally, a coupling member. The body includes a medial portion and two end portions. The body is structured such that the outermost segment of each end portion defines the largest diametric segment of the body. In addition, the medial portion includes the body&#39;s smallest diametric segment. Specifically, the smallest diametric body segment is longitudinally disposed between the two end portions, being located approximately midway between the outermost body segments. The coupling member connects the body to the article to be carried such as a bag. The coupling member may be in the form of a pliable strap extending through the body with end portions that connect to the carried article. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of the hand grip device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, showing a gripping member and a coupling member. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  illustrates a longitudinal cross sectional view of the gripping member of the hand grip device shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  illustrates an exploded view in elevation of the gripping member of the hand grip device shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0010]      FIG. 4A  illustrates an isolated, perspective view of an end cap in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 4B  illustrates an isolated, top view in plan of the end cap shown in  FIG. 4A . 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  illustrates the gripping member of  FIG. 2 , showing the connection of the end caps to the body. 
           [0013]      FIGS. 6 and 7  illustrate the grip device of  FIG. 1  attached to a carried article. 
       
    
    
       [0014]    Like reference numerals in the various figures are utilized to designate like components. 
       DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0015]    Referring to the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3 , the hand grip device  10  includes a gripping member  100  and a coupling member  103 . The gripping member  100  is configured to disperse the weight of the carried article across the width of the hand. The gripping member  100  includes an elongated body  105  having a first end portion  115 A, a second end portion  115 B, and a medial or intermediate portion  120  disposed between the end portions  115 A,  115 B. The first end portion  115 A includes a first outermost end or extremity  125 A ( FIG. 2 ). Similarly, the second end portion  115 B includes a second outermost end or extremity  125 B. A flange may be disposed along each outermost body end  125 A,  125 B. For example, a first flange  130 A may extend from the first outermost end  125 A of the first end portion  115 A and a second flange  130 B may extend from the second outermost end  125 B of the second end portion  115 B. 
         [0016]    The body  105  is a generally hyperboloidal structure (i.e., a structure designed with hyperboloid geometry) having a central longitudinal axis A. In particular, it is in the form of a hyperboloid of one sheet described by the equation x 2 /c 2 +y 2 /b 2 −z 2 /c 2 =1. As a result, the structure possesses a negative Gaussian curvature, i.e., the body  105  curves inward (toward the central longitudinal axis A) in the longitudinal direction rather than outward or rather than having no curve (i.e., being straight sided). 
         [0017]    The body  105  may possess any cross section suitable for its intended purpose. By way of example, the vertical cross section (i.e., the cross section taken along an axis oriented generally orthogonal to the longitudinal axis A) at any point along the body  105  may be an ellipse or circle. The horizontal cross section (taken along an axis generally parallel to the longitudinal axis A) may be a hyperbola that opens upward/downward or sideways (depending on values of x and y). In a preferred embodiment, the body is a circular hyperboloid, i.e., a hyperboloid in which each vertical cross section of the body is generally circular. 
         [0018]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , the body  105  may be a generally hollow structure including a wall  205  with an interior wall surface  210  and an exterior wall surface  220 . The body wall  205  is arranged around the central longitudinal axis A such that opposed wall portions are generally equidistantly spaced a predetermined distance from the longitudinal axis A (i.e., the radial distance measured from the axis A to each of two diametrically opposed points is substantially equal). This predetermined distance may change over the length of the body  105  such that the distance measured is less at a point along the medial portion  120  than at a point falling within either of the end portions  115 A,  115 B. This lesser distance d v  defines the valley  225  of the body  105 . Stated another way, the body  105  is configured such that it possesses a diametric segment that is smaller than other diametric segments of the body. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , the outermost body segments  125 A,  125 B possess the largest diametric segment d e , while the smallest diametric segment d v  (the valley  225 ) is located approximately midway between the outermost segments  125 A,  125 B of the body  105 . 
         [0019]    As mentioned above, a flange may be connected to each of the outermost body segments  125 A,  125 B. The flanges  130 A,  130 B may each possess a diameter greater than the diameter of the body  105  along its corresponding end portion  115 A,  115 B. As a result, each flange  130 A,  130 B is slightly radially offset from its associated body extremity  125 A,  125 B such that it extends radially beyond the exterior surface  220  of the body  105  and forms an interior shoulder  235 . The flanges  130 A,  130 B may possess any suitable shape suitable for its described purpose. Typically, the flanges  130 A,  130 B possess a vertical cross section similar to that of the body  105 . By way of example, when the body  105  possesses a generally circular cross section, the flanges  130 A,  130 B may be generally annular, thereby defining a first flange opening  240 A proximate the first outermost body segment  125 A and a second flange opening  240 B proximate the second outermost body segment  125 B. 
         [0020]    A central bore or channel  245 , defined by the interior wall surface  210  of the body  105 , extends from the first flange  130 A to the second flange  130 B. The bore  245  and flange openings  240 A,  240 B cooperate to permit the passage of a coupling member through the body  105  (discussed in greater detail below). 
         [0021]    The gripping member  100  may possess any dimensions suitable for its described purposed. By way of example, the gripping member  100  may possess a length of approximately 10-15 cm, preferably approximately 13 cm; a maximum diametric segment (measured along outermost body segment) of approximately 3-5 cm (e.g., 4.8 cm); a circumference (measured along one of the flange  130 A,  130 B and the end portions  115 A,  115 B) of approximately 11-15 cm, and preferably approximately 12.5-14 cm; and a circumference measured along the valley  225  of approximately 9.5-11 cm, and preferably approximately 9.72-10.8 cm. 
         [0022]    The body  105  may further include one or more windows operable to mate with an end cap, securing the end cap to the body. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the body  105  includes a plurality of windows or notches  300  disposed within each end portion  115 A,  115 B. The windows  300  may be angularly spaced along the body  105  and disposed proximate the flanges  130 A,  130 B. The windows  300  are configured to receive locking tabs located on the end caps (discussed in greater detail below). 
         [0023]    The exterior surface  220  of the body  105  may be textured to increase the coefficient of friction of the grip device  210  and/or to provide increased gripping comfort to the device. By way of example, the body  105  may include one or more ribs or protrusions  310  extending from the body exterior surface  220 . The ribs or protrusions  310  may be longitudinally and/or angularly spaced about the circumference of the body  105  such that the protrusions substantially cover the body. The protrusions  310  may be in the form a geometric shape such as a circle or a polygon (diamonds, squares, hexagons, etc) that extend (i.e., is raised) radially outward or from the exterior surface  220  of the body  105 . In addition combinations of shapes may be utilized. 
         [0024]    In another embodiment, the exterior surface  220  of the body  105  may possess a micro-textured or roughened surface that increases the frictional coefficient of the body (and thus decreases the potential for slippage). By way of further example, the exterior surface  220  may possess a tackified surface (i.e., the surface may be treated with a tackifying agent). 
         [0025]    The hand grip device  10  may further include end caps adapted to couple to the gripping member  100 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 4A and 4B , an end cap  400  includes an insert portion  405  and a cover portion  410 . The insert portion  405  may be a hollow, frustoconical structure with a cap wall  415  that defines an internal bore  420 . A plurality of ramps  425  extend axially along the exterior surface  430  of the wall  415 . The ramps  425 , angularly spaced about the wall, incline in the direction of the cover portion  410 . The insert portion  405  is configured such that it can be axially inserted through the flange opening  240 A,  240 B and into the bore  230  of the body  105 , with the ramps  425  frictionally engaging the interior surface  210  of the body  105 . 
         [0026]    In the illustrated embodiment, the cover portion  410  is a plate disposed on the widened end of the frustoconical insert portion  405 . The cover portion  410  may extend radially beyond the circumference of the insert portion  405  (e.g., at a distance less than the intermediate length of the insert portion  410 ). With this configuration, the cover portion  410  includes an interior ledge  435  that engages the interior shoulder  235  existing along each outermost body segment  125 A,  125 B (discussed in detail below). 
         [0027]    The end cap  400  may further include a plurality of resilient fingers  450  angularly spaced about the perimeter of the cover portion  410  and configured such that the fingers generally align with the windows  300  formed into the body  105 . Each finger  450 , which extends along the axis of the end cap  400 , may include a proximal post  455  and a distal locking tab  460 . The posts  455  are radially resilient; consequently, the locking tabs  460  are biased radially outward from the end cap  400 . With this configuration, when the end cap  400  is axially inserted into the opening  240 A,  240 B of the gripping member  100  defined by the flange  130 A,  130 B, the locking tabs  460  initially flex radially inward to clear interior shoulder  235 . Once aligned with its corresponding window  300 , the biasing force of each finger  450  urges the locking tab  260  into the window. 
         [0028]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , to connect the end cap  400  to the gripping member  100 , the end cap  400  is aligned with the flange  130 A,  130 B such that the locking tabs  460  are substantially aligned with the windows  300  formed into the body  105 . The end cap  400  is axially inserted into the flange opening  240 A,  240 B, positioning the insert portion within the bore  245  of the body  105 . The ledge  435  of the end cap  400  engages the shoulder  235  of the body  105 , serving as a stop that prevents further axial insertion. Once in the proper axial position, the locking tabs  460  are received by the windows  300 , securing the end cap  400  to the gripping member  100 . The cover portion  410  possesses dimensions such that it may be received within the flange  130 A,  130 B of the grip device  10 . With this configuration, the end cap  400 , once properly inserted into the body  105 , is positioned within the flange opening  240 A,  240 B such that the cover portion  410  is substantially flush with the outer longitudinal face of the flange  130 A,  130 B. 
         [0029]    To separate the end cap  400  from the gripping member  100 , each locking tab  460  is urged radially inward until it clears its corresponding window  300 . The end cap  400  is then drawn axially outward from the body  105 . 
         [0030]    The cover portion  410  may be further adapted to position and support the coupling member  103  in a predetermined orientation. Referring back to  FIG. 4B , the cover portion  410  may include an aperture or pass-through  470  generally centrally disposed on the cover portion  410  such that the aperture generally aligns with the longitudinal axis A of the body  105 . The aperture may possess any shape and dimensions suitable for its described purpose. By way of example, the aperture  470  may be in the form of a generally elongated slot. 
         [0031]    The coupling member  103  is configured to couple the gripping member  100  to a carried article such as a bag or other luggage item. The coupling member  103  may be either flexible or rigid. By way of example, the coupling member  103  may be an elongated, transversely flexible strap. In operation, the coupling member  103  is threaded through the aperture  470  of the end cap  400  disposed along the first end portion  115 A, drawn through the bore  245  of the body  105 , and then drawn through the aperture  470  of the end cap  400  disposed along the second end portion  115 B. With this configuration, the aperture  470  on each end cap  400  cooperates to prevent the rotation of the coupling member  103  within the body  105 , stabilizing the gripping member  100  and preventing its rotation with respect to the coupling member and/or carried article. 
         [0032]    The ends of the strap may be permanently or releasably secured to the carried article. In one embodiment, each end  610 A,  610 B of the coupling member  103  is permanently secured to the carried article  620  via sewing, adhesive, etc ( FIG. 6 ). In another embodiment, each end  710 A,  710 B of the coupling member  103  includes a releasable fastener  720  such as a spring hook or a leash-type hook ( FIG. 7 ). The releasable fastener  720  may couple to a ring  730  connected to the carried article  740 . 
         [0033]    The above described grip device provides a contour that is comfortable for hands of substantially all sizes and shapes and that is both lightweight and positionally stable while in a person&#39;s hand. In addition, the grip device, being a hyperboloid structure, possesses a doubly ruled exterior surface. A surface is doubly ruled if through every one of its points there are two distinct lines that lie on the surface. A structure with a doubly ruled surface is stronger than curved surfaces that do not have such a ruling. As a result, the hand grip device  10  is strong, lightweight, and comfortable. 
         [0034]    While the present invention has been described in detail and with reference to specific embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. For example, the hand grip device  10  (the body  105 , flanges  130 A,  130 B, and end caps  400 ) may be formed of any suitable materials and may possess any dimensions suitable for their respective described purposes. Similarly, the coupling member  103  may be formed from any suitable materials and possess any suitable dimensions. The hand grip device  10  may possess a unitary structure, and may be a solid or hollow structure. 
         [0035]    Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. It is to be understood that terms such as “top”, “bottom”, “front”, “rear”, “side”, “height”, “length”, “width”, “upper”, “lower”, “interior”, “exterior”, and the like as may be used herein, merely describe points of reference and do not limit the present invention to any particular orientation or configuration. 
         [0036]    Having described preferred embodiments, it is believed that other modifications, variations and changes will be suggested to those skilled in the art in view of the teachings set forth herein. It is therefore to be understood that all such variations, modifications and changes are believed to fall within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.