Patent ID: 7533916

Claim:
An item carrying device, comprising: a. a first section having a first end and a second end; b. a second section having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the second section is integrally connected to the first end of the first section; c. a third section having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the third section is integrally connected to the second end of the first section; d. a fourth section having a first end and a second end, wherein the second end of the second section is integrally connected to the first end of the fourth section, and the second end of the third section is integrally connected to the second end of the fourth section, such that the structure formed by the connections of the first section and the fourth section to both the second section and the third section forms a central opening through which a hand may be inserted; e. a handle connected to the first section; f. a plurality of holding members, each having a loading end and an inner holding face, the plurality of holding members being connected to, and extending from, the fourth section such that the loading ends all face in essentially the same direction, and wherein the loading end includes an inner face; and g. a plurality of flexible tines, wherein each one of the plurality of tines has an upper end, a lower end and a side surface located between the upper end and the lower end, wherein the upper end of each one of the plurality of flexible tines is connected to the fourth section such that each flexible tine is substantially axially aligned at its upper end with the corresponding loading end of one of the plurality of holding members, wherein the lower end of each one of the plurality of tines extends at all times at a non-orthogonal angle toward the inner holding face of the corresponding one of the plurality of holding members, and wherein the lower end is spaced away from the loading end of the holding member and only the side surface contacts the holding member at the inner face of the loading end to form a V shape, which V shape is bounded by the lower end, the point of contact between the tine and the holding member at the inner face and loading end below the inner face spaced from and aligned with the lower end of the tine.