Abstract:
An infant carrier includes a seat shell and a handle. The handle may be moved between a carrying position and a storage position by actuating, with only one hand, an actuator assembly provided in the handle. When actuated, an actuator of the actuator assembly disengages locking mechanisms associated with first and second ends of the handle where the handle is joined to the seat shell. The disengagement of the locking mechanisms enables to the handle to be rotated with respect to the seat shell.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/525,849, filed Dec. 1, 2003, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/561,530, filed Apr. 13, 2004, both of which are incorporated by reference in their entireties. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     This invention relates to an infant car seat including a foldable handle that may be rotated between a carrying position (in which an infant in the car seat may be carried) and a storage position (in which access to a seating area in the car seat is facilitated).  
         [0003]     Rear-facing infant car seats generally include a base that can be secured to a vehicle seat and an infant carrier detachably coupled to the base. The infant carrier has a carrying handle so that a parent can carry a sleeping child from car to home without disturbing the child. The infant carrier also can be snapped onto a stroller to make a travel system. Thus, the infant carrier can play an important part in daily parental care of a child, and ease of use of the infant carrier is critical to parents.  
         [0004]     When a parent wants to place a child in the carrier, the carrying handle needs to be away from the child seating area (i.e., in the stored position) so the child can be secured safely in the carrier. Carriers with handles generally have a handle lock on each side of the carrier, both of which must be released to rotate the handle away from the child seating area. Oftentimes, the handle is left in the up (or carrying) position. When the parent goes to place the child in the carrier, the parent cannot simultaneously manipulate the handle and hold the child. Instead, the parent must set the child down, away from the carrier, then use both hands to unlock and rotate the handle away from the child seating area, and finally lift and place the child in the carrier. This sequence can be awkward, frustrating, and time-consuming for the parent.  
         [0005]     In light of the foregoing, there is a need in the art for an infant carrier with an improved handle release and rotation mechanism.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0006]     An embodiment of the present invention relates to a carrier configured to be secured to a base of an infant seat. This carrier includes, among other possible things: a seat shell including an infant seating area and first and second handle mounts on opposite sides of the infant seating area; a handle rotatably coupled to the seat shell such that first and second ends of the handle are mounted to the first and second handle mounts, respectively; first and second locking mechanisms associated with the first and second ends of the handle, respectively, the first and second locking mechanisms being configured to lock the handle relative to the seat shell; and an actuator mounted to the handle, the actuator being configured to unlock the first and second locking mechanisms solely by moving the actuator from a locked position to an unlocked position relative to the handle.  
         [0007]     Another embodiment of the present invention relates to an infant carrier that includes, among other possible things: a seat shell including an infant seating area, a first handle mount, and a second handle mount; a handle rotatably coupled to the first and second handle mounts; first and second locking mechanisms associated with the first and second handle mounts, respectively, the first and second locking mechanisms being configured to lock the handle relative to the seat shell; and an actuator assembly that is mounted to the handle, the actuator assembly being configured to engage and disengage the first and second locking mechanisms thereby enabling the handle to rotate with respect to the seat shell.  
         [0008]     Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a carrier configured to be secured to a base of an infant seat. This carrier includes, among other possible things: a seat shell including an infant seating area and first and second handle mounts on opposite sides of the infant seating area; a handle rotatably coupled to the seat shell such that first and second ends of the handle are mounted to the first and second handle mounts, respectively; at least one locking mechanism associated with one of the first and second ends of the handle, the at least one locking mechanism being configured to lock the handle relative to the seat shell; and an actuator provided in the handle in a position intermediate the first and second ends of the handle, the actuator being configured to unlock the at least one locking mechanism solely by moving the actuator from a locked position to an unlocked position relative to the handle.  
         [0009]     Another embodiment of the present invention relates to an infant carrier that includes, among other possible things: a seat shell including an infant seating area, a first handle mount, and a second handle mount; a handle rotatably coupled to the first and second handle mounts; at least one locking mechanism associated with one of the first and second handle mounts, the at least one locking mechanism being configured to lock the handle relative to the seat shell; and an actuator mounted to the handle, the actuator being configured to unlock all of the locking mechanisms solely by moving the actuator from a locked position to an unlocked position relative to the handle.  
         [0010]     It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]     The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate several embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.  
         [0012]      FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a child carrier, including a handle in a carrying position;  
         [0013]      FIG. 1B  is a perspective view of the carrier of  FIG. 1A  but with the handle in a stored position;  
         [0014]      FIG. 2  is an exploded, perspective view of a connection between the handle and a seat shell of the carrier of  FIGS. 1A and 1B ;  
         [0015]      FIG. 3  is a side view of a locking member engaged with the handle of the carrier of  FIGS. 1A and 1B ;  
         [0016]      FIG. 4A  is front view of the locking member of  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0017]      FIG. 4B  is a rear view of the locking member of  FIG. 4A ;  
         [0018]      FIG. 5A  is an isometric view of a handle mount configured to receive the locking member of  FIGS. 4A and 4B ;  
         [0019]      FIG. 5B  is a front view of the handle mount portion of  FIG. 5A ;  
         [0020]      FIG. 6A  is an exploded, isometric, partial cut-away view of a portion of the handle, showing the relationship between a conical portion of the locking member of  FIGS. 4A and 4B  and a cord engagement member;  
         [0021]      FIG. 6B  is an end view of the cord engagement member and the conical portion of the locking member in a resting state;  
         [0022]      FIG. 6C  is a side view of the cord engagement member and the conical portion of the locking member in the resting state shown in  FIG. 6B ;  
         [0023]      FIG. 6D  is an end view of the cord engagement member and the conical portion of the locking member in an actuated state;  
         [0024]      FIG. 6E  is a side view of the cord engagement member and the conical portion of the locking member in the actuated state shown in  FIG. 6D ;  
         [0025]      FIG. 7A  is a break-away perspective view of a push-button actuator assembly provided in the handle of the carrier shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , the figure showing that the push-button actuator is connected to a cord that, in turn, is connected to the cord engagement member;  
         [0026]      FIG. 7B  is an exterior, close-up perspective view of the push-button actuator shown in  FIG. 7A ;  
         [0027]      FIG. 8A  is a break-away perspective view of the push-button actuator shown in  FIG. 7A , the figure showing that the actuator has sloped surfaces that, when pushed rearward, can force a cord connector to be pulled inward, thereby pulling the cord and, in turn, the cord engagement member;  
         [0028]      FIG. 8B  is a break-away perspective view, in partial cross section, of the push-button actuator of  FIG. 8A ;  
         [0029]      FIG. 8C  is a break-away perspective view, in partial cross section, of the push-button actuator of  FIG. 8A , showing the push-button actuator actuated such that the sloped surfaces are driven into the cord connectors, thereby pulling the cord connectors toward the center of the handle;  
         [0030]      FIG. 9A  is a break-away perspective view of an alternative actuator assembly; and  
         [0031]      FIG. 9B  is a break-away perspective view of the slide-button actuator assembly shown in  FIG. 9A . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0032]     Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. An effort has been made to use the same reference numbers throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.  
         [0033]      FIGS. 1A and 1B  illustrate an infant carrier  100  having an adjustable handle  110  that can be folded with one hand according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.  
         [0034]     The carrier  100  includes a seat shell  120 , a padded seating portion  105  serving as an infant seating area, an adjustable handle  110 , a handle gripping portion  112 , and a handle actuator  820 . The handle gripping portion  112 , which extends along a substantial portion of the horizontal portion of adjustable handle  110 , allows a person carrying the carrier  100  to grip the handle  110  comfortably at any point along the handle gripping portion  112 .  
         [0035]     The handle  110  is connected to the seat shell  120  at two handle ends  118 , each of which contains a locking mechanism  200  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) that is configured to releasably fix the orientation of the handle  110  with respect to the seat shell  120 . Specifically, the handle  110  is configured to be locked (by means of the locking mechanisms  200  associated with the handle ends  118 ) in several distinct rotational positions including, but not limited to, a carrying position (shown in  FIG. 1A ) and a stored position (shown in  FIG. 1B ). In the carrying position, a parent may carry an infant seated in the seating portion  105 . In the stored position, in which the handle  110  does not impede direct access to the seating portion  105 , a parent can easily place an infant in the seating portion  105  or remove the infant from the seating portion  105 .  
         [0036]     The seat shell  120  and the adjustable handle  110  may be constructed of any appropriate rigid material. For example, the seat shell  120  and the adjustable handle  110  may be constructed of metal or a high-strength plastic such as an injection molded plastic.  
         [0037]      FIG. 2  shows an exploded isometric view of the locking mechanism  200  of the carrier  100 . It is to be understood that although only one locking mechanism  200  is shown and described, locking mechanisms  200  are provided on both ends of the handle  110 . Accordingly, the following discussion of the locking mechanism  200  is equally applicable to the locking mechanism at the other end of the handle  110 . The locking mechanism  200  may include a locking member  220 , a locking member receiving portion  210  at the end  118  of the handle  110 , and a handle mount  240  formed on a side of the seat shell  120 .  
         [0038]     The locking member  220  includes a recess portion  221 , a conical portion  222 , a cylindrical portion  224 , alignment locking tabs  227 , a plurality of teeth  229 , which include at least one key tooth  228 , and over-rotation prevention tabs  226 . The locking member  220  may be constructed of any appropriate rigid material. For example, locking member  220  may be constructed of metal or a high-strength plastic such as an injection molded plastic.  
         [0039]     The handle  110  includes the locking member receiving portion  210 , which, in turn, includes over-rotation prevention tabs  212  and locking ridges  216 . Small gaps  218  and large gaps  214  are formed between locking ridges  216 . The large gaps  214  are configured to engage the at least one key tooth  228 , or two teeth  229 . In contrast, the small gaps  218  are configured to engage a single tooth  229  and will not receive the key tooth  228  due to their size. The over-rotation prevention tabs  212  are configured to engage the over-rotation prevention tabs  226  of the locking member  220  to limit the extent of rotation of the handle  110  with respect to locking member  220 . The handle  110  and associated components of the locking mechanism  200  may be constructed of any appropriate rigid material. For example, the handle  110  and its locking member receiving portion  210 , including tabs  212  and locking ridges  216 , may be constructed of metal or a high-strength plastic such as an injection molded plastic.  
         [0040]     Locking mechanism  200  also may include a biasing spring  230  to urge the conical portion  222  of the locking member  220  towards the locking member receiving portion  210  of the handle  110 . The handle mount  240  can receive one end of the biasing spring  230 . The other end of the spring  230  can be received in the recess  221  in the locking member  220 . Thus, the biasing spring  230  biases the locking member  220  and its conical portion  222  toward the handle  110 . More specifically, the biasing spring  230  biases the locking member  220  so that it is partially received in the locking member receiving portion  210  of the handle  110 , whereas the remainder of the locking member  220  is received in the handle mount  240 . As the biasing spring  230  biases the locking member  220  to engage both the locking member receiving portion  210  of the handle  110  and the handle mount  240 , movement of the locking member receiving portion  210  (and, therefore, the handle  110 ) with respect to the handle mount  240  can be releasably inhibited.  
         [0041]      FIG. 2  also shows a pin  270  that serves as an axle for the rotation of the handle  110 . The pin  270  passes through the locking member receiving portion  210  of the handle  110 , the locking member  220 , the biasing spring  230 , and the handle mount  240  to secure the entire assembly together. Although not shown, the pin  270  may have threads thereon (e.g., the pin  270  may be in the form of a screw) that are configured to engage matching threads formed in or on the handle mount  240 . However, it should be understood that the pin  270  may be formed from any appropriate attachment mechanism such as a screw, a bolt, a shaft with a lock pin, etc.  
         [0042]      FIG. 3  shows a front view of a portion of a handle  110 . The handle  110  includes locking member receiving portion  210 , over-rotation prevention tabs  212 , locking ridges  216 , small gaps  218 , and large gaps  214 . Furthermore, handle  110  includes a pin hole  310 , which is configured to receive the pin  270 , and a raised cylindrical boss  315 . As shown, the handle  100  may include three pairs of large gaps  214  and, therefore, have three distinct locking positions. However, it should be understood that any number of distinct locking positions could be accommodated without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.  
         [0043]      FIG. 4A  shows a front view of the locking member  220 . The locking member  220  includes conical portion  222  having a tip  223 , cylindrical portion  224 , alignment locking tabs  227 , teeth  229  (including the at least one key tooth  228 ), over-rotation prevention tabs  226 , and a pin hole  510 . The other side of the locking member  220 , which is shown in  FIG. 4B , includes the recess portion  221 .  
         [0044]      FIG. 5A  shows an isometric view of the handle mount  240 . The handle mount  240  includes a pin hole  610 , a spring mounting surface  620 , locking tab receiving cut-outs  630 , locking ridges  640 , and key tooth receiving gaps  650 . As shown in  FIG. 5B , which is a front view of the handle mount  240 , the key tooth receiving gaps  650  are configured to receive the key teeth  228 , while the locking ridges  640  are configured to receive the other teeth  229 . During assembly, the biasing spring  230  is placed between pin hole  610  and the spring mounting surface  620 . Subsequently, the locking member  220  is placed into the handle mount  240  until alignment locking tabs  227  engage the locking tab receiving cut-outs  630 . As a result, the locking member  220  is biased away from the handle mount  240  toward the locking member receiving portion  210 .  
         [0045]     With reference to  FIGS. 2 and 5 A, the locking tab receiving cut-outs  630  are longer in the axial direction than the alignment locking tabs  227 . Thus, the locking member  220  is able to move axially (when biasing spring  230  is compressed) with respect to the handle mount  240 , without becoming completely disengaged from the handle mount  240 . However, the locking member  220  is prevented from rotating with respect to the handle mount  240  when the locking member  220  is received in the handle mount  240  as a result of the engagement of the teeth  229  and the locking ridges  640 .  
         [0046]     Adjustment of the handle  110  of the carrier  100  now will be described in detail with reference to actuator assembly embodiments shown in  FIGS. 6A-9B . A first actuator assembly embodiment will be described with respect to  FIGS. 6A-8B  and an alternate actuator assembly embodiment will subsequently be described with respect to  FIGS. 9A and 9B . Preliminarily, however, certain components of the locking mechanism  200  of each of the actuator assembly embodiments will be discussed with reference to  FIGS. 6A-6E .  
         [0047]     As stated above, the locking mechanism  200  can include the locking member  220 , the locking member receiving portion  210 , the spring  230 , and the handle mount  240 . A cord engagement member  250  can interface with the locking member  220 .  FIG. 6A  is a exploded, isometric, partial cut-away view of a portion of the handle  110  of the carrier  100  and illustrates the positioning of the cord engagement member  250  in the locking member receiving portion  210  and relative to the locking member  220 . The cord engagement member  250  is positioned against an inner wall  150  of the locking member receiving portion  210  to slide along the inner wall  150  upon actuation of the actuator assembly. In addition, the cord engagement member  250  includes a generally triangular or trapezoidal slot  252  to receive the conical portion  222  of the locking member  220 . The conical portion  222  of the locking member  220  is urged into slot  252  of the cord engagement member  250  by spring  230 .  
         [0048]     As shown in  FIGS. 6B and 6C , in a resting position, the end of the conical portion  222  resides within the triangular slot  252 . More specifically, the end of the conical portion  222  spans the wider base  254  of the triangular slot  252  such that, as seen in  FIG. 6B , a tip  223  of the conical portion  222  is not in contact with the sides of the triangular slot  252 . Further, the teeth  229  of the locking member  220  are engaged with both the small gaps  218  of the locking member receiving portion  210  of the handle  110  and the locking ridges  640  of the handle mount  240 . Similarly, the key teeth  228  are engaged with the large gaps  214  in the locking member receiving portion  210  of the handle  110  and the key tooth receiving gaps  650  of the handle mount  240 .  
         [0049]     By comparison, in an actuated state shown in  FIGS. 6D and 6E  (in which the cord engagement member  250  is pulled toward the center of the handle  110 , as later explained in detail), the conical portion  222  of the locking member receiving portion  210  is drawn into contact with the triangular slot  252 . As a result, the tip  223  of the conical portion  222  comes into contact with the peak  256  and the sides of the triangular slot  252 . In addition, as a result of the narrowing of the triangular slot  252 , as the conical portion  222  nears the peak  256 , the conical portion  222  is moved laterally out of the slot  252 , away from the locking member receiving portion  210  and toward the handle mount  240 .  
         [0050]     When the conical portion  222  is moved laterally to the position in  FIG. 6E , the biasing spring  230  is compressed, and the locking member  220  is pushed completely into the handle mount  240  to an actuated position. In other words, the teeth  229  of the locking member  220  are disengaged from the small gaps  218  in the locking member receiving portion  210  of the handle  110  and are completely housed in the locking ridges  640  of the handle mount  240 . Similarly, the key teeth  228  are forced out of the large gaps  214  in the locking member receiving portion  210  of the handle  110  and are completely housed in the key tooth receiving gaps  650  of the handle mount  240 .  
         [0051]     When the locking member  220  is completely housed in the handle mount  240 , the locking member  220  is corresponding completely disengaged from the locking member receiving portion  210  of the handle  110 . As a result, the handle  110  is able to rotate with respect to the locking member  220  and the handle mount  240 . For example, the handle  110  may be rotated from the carrying position (shown in  FIG. 1A ) to the stored position (shown in  FIG. 1B ) in which the padded seating portion  105  is readily accessible.  
         [0052]     When the handle  110  is rotated to a desired position at which the key teeth  228  are aligned with the large gaps  214  in the locking member receiving portion  210  of the handle  110 , the locking member  220  may be returned to the resting state, as later described in detail. To return the locking member  220  to the resting state, the biasing spring  230  pushes the locking member  220  into the locking member receiving portion  210  of the handle  110 , thereby once again locking the handle  110  with respect to the locking member  220  and the handle mount  240 .  
         [0053]     To move the conical portion  222  of the locking member  220  between the resting and actuated positions, the invention contemplates an actuator assembly, such as the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 7A-8C  and  9 B- 9 B.  
         [0054]     An exemplary actuator assembly  800  is shown in  FIGS. 7A-8C . For purposes of simplicity, this actuator assembly  800  is discussed with respect to the locking mechanism  200  on one side of the carrier  100 . It is be understood, however, that the other locking mechanism  200  (i.e., the one on the other side of the carrier) is actuated in the same manner and by the same actuator assembly  800 .  
         [0055]     Actuator assembly  800  can include a cord  810  that terminates at cord engagement member  250  (shown in more detail in  FIGS. 6A-6E ), a cord connector  830 , and a push-button actuator  820 . The cord  810 , which may be made out of a flexible but strong material (e.g., a polymer, rope, wire, etc.), connects the cord connector  830  to the cord engagement member  250 . The cord connector  830 , the cord  810 , and the cord engagement member  250  may be integrally formed. Alternatively, these three components may be formed separately and then subsequently adjoined.  
         [0056]     As shown in  FIG. 7B , a portion  822  of the push-button actuator  820  projects through the handle  110  and is, therefore, externally accessible to a user for purposes of actuation, as hereafter described with respect to  FIGS. 8A-8C . In  FIGS. 8A and 8B , it can be seen that a sloped surface  824  of the push-button  820  is received within a slot  832  formed in the cord connector  830 . As a result, when the accessible portion  822  of the push-button actuator  820  is pushed into the handle  110  (i.e., in the direction of arrow α shown in  FIGS. 7A and 8C ), the cord connector  830  rides along the sloped surface  824 , thereby moving toward the center  160  of the handle  110  (i.e., in the direction of arrow β).  
         [0057]     As the cord connector  830  moves toward the center of the handle  110 , it pulls the cord  810  and, in turn, the cord engagement member  250  toward the center  160  of the handle  110 . As a result, the cord engagement member  250  moves in the direction of arrow ω, shown in  FIG. 7A . Further, as the cord engagement member  250  moves in the direction of arrow ω, the locking member  220  moves laterally inward with respect to the cord engagement member  250 . In other words, the locking member  220  moves in the direction of arrow β (as shown in  FIG. 7A ) and is, therefore, forced into the actuated state, previously discussed with respect to  FIGS. 6D and 6E .  
         [0058]     To return the locking member  220  to the resting state shown in  FIGS. 6B and 6C , the user releases the push-button  820 . When the push-button  820  is released, the biasing spring  230  forces the locking member  220  laterally outward (i.e., in the direction of arrow φ in  FIG. 7A ), thereby forcing the cord engagement member  250  to move downward (i.e., in the direction of arrow σ), which, in turn, pulls the cord  810  away from the center  160  of the handle  110  (i.e., in the direction of arrow η). As the cord  810  is pulled away from the center  160  of the handle  110 , the cord connector  830  returns to the state shown in  FIGS. 8A and 8B . As a result, the push-button actuator  820  is pushed back (i.e., in direction of arrow γ) into the position shown in  FIG. 7A . The push-button  820  can be actuated and released repeatedly.  
         [0059]     Another actuator assembly  900  is shown in  FIGS. 9A and 9B . The actuator assembly  900  includes a slide actuator  920 , two racks  922 ,  924 , and a pinion  940  (the axis of rotation R of which is fixed). The cords  810  and the cord engagement members  250  function in the same manner as previously described with respect to the push-button actuator assembly  820 . Accordingly, a discussion of the cords  810  and the cord engagement members  250  with respect to this assembly  900  is omitted.  
         [0060]     The slide actuator  920 , like the push-button actuator  820 , is provided in the center  160  of the handle  110 . The slide actuator  920  is fixedly connected to a front rack  922  that, in turn, is fixedly connected to a cord  810 A that extends to a cord engagement member  250  (not shown in  FIGS. 9A and 9B ), as previously described.  
         [0061]     The front rack  922  includes a plurality of recesses  923  that are sized to receive teeth  942  that extend around the pinion  940 . Similar to the front rack  922 , the rear rack  924  also includes a plurality of recess  925  that are sized to receive the teeth  942  of the pinion  940 . Moreover, the rear rack  924  is similarly fixedly connected to the other cord  810 B.  
         [0062]     To actuate the slide actuator assembly  900 , a tab  930  projecting from the slide actuator  920  can be pushed in the direction of the horizontal portion of the handle  110 , i.e., in the direction of arrow β. When the tab  930  is pushed, the front rack  930  (and the cord  810 A attached thereto) likewise is moved in the direction of arrow β. As the axis of rotation R of the pinion  940  is fixed, when the front rack  922  moves in the direction of arrow β, the recesses  923 , which are engaged with the teeth  942  of the pinion  940 , cause the pinion  940  to rotate about its axis of rotation R. In turn, the rotation of the pinion  940  drives the teeth  942  into the recess  925  of the rear rack  924 , thereby causing the rear rack  924  (and the cord  810 B attached thereto) to move in the direction of arrow η. As a result, both cords  810 A,  810 B are pulled toward the center  160  of the handle  110  in a manner similar to that previously described with respect to the push-button actuator assembly  800 . Moreover, as a result of the movement of the cords  810 A,  810 B toward the center  160  of the handle, the actuator assembly  900  goes from a resting state shown in  FIG. 9A  to the actuated state shown in  FIG. 9B .  
         [0063]     To return to the resting state of  FIG. 9A , the user merely needs to release the tab  930 . As a result, the biasing springs  230  will push their associated locking members  220  into the associated triangular slots  252  of the cord engagement member  250 , thereby causing the cords  810 A,  810 B to be pulled away from the center  160  of the handle  110 . In turn, the slide  920  will be returned to its original state (i.e., the resting state shown in  FIG. 9A ) by a reverse rotation of the pinion  940 .  
         [0064]     Other actuation assembly mechanisms are contemplated. For example, instead of a push-button assembly  800  or a slide assembly  900 , a twisting or rotating mechanism could be used. The moving members  114  of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B of U.S. Pat. No. 6,068,284, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, are two examples of twisting or rotating members that could be used in a one-hand actuation assembly according to the present invention.  
         [0065]     Although the actuators of the above-described actuator assemblies are located at the center of the handle, it will be understood that, in other embodiments, the actuator can be located elsewhere on the handle, doe example, at either end of the handle or at a location intermediate the ends of the handle.  
         [0066]     It will be understood that the carrier  100  can be used in a variety of vehicles, including but not limited to cars, trucks, buses, and airplanes. Moreover, the adjustable handle is easily operable and may automatically return to a locked position upon rotation of the handle to a selected position. In addition, because the locking member can engage the adjustable handle over a large surface area, preferably over its entire circumference (i.e., 360 degrees), the adjustable handle assembly may be able to withstand greater forces without failure.  
         [0067]     The embodiments set forth herein were for purposes of illustration. This description, however, should not be deemed to be a limitation on the scope of the invention. Various modifications, adaptations, and alternatives may occur to one skilled in the art, without departing from the claimed inventive concept. The true scope and spirit of the invention are indicated by the following claims.