GB2166108A - A detachable handle for a container - Google Patents

Abstract

A detachable handle 2 for a container, which handle 2 comprises a body portion 4 which in use is positionable along a side of the container and which is adjustable in length, e.g. telescopic, to accommodate various sizes of container, and attachment means 8 for attaching to a side or a top of the container. The attachment means may comprise a pair of resiliently biased jaws 8 which are pivotal about point 10 into an inoperative position. Alternatively, the attachment means may comprise a clip means having a swivel portion for extending into a container through a hole in the container end (Fig. 5), or a strap means or a chain means. The handle preferably includes a support means for engaging underneath the container, the support means having a flat base 13 and a raised upper portion for engaging the container base or a rib for engaging the container (Fig. 6) or a central depression in which the container base rests (Fig. 8). The body portion 4 is preferably provided with a finger grip section 6. The handle is made of metal or plastics. The container may be a beverage or food can, a condiment can or a chemical flask. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A detachable handle for a container This invention relates to a detachable handle for a container.

Containers such for example as drinking cups with integrally formed handles are well known. On many containers it is not always convenient or possible to provide an integrally formed handle. It is a fact however that handling of the container may often be more convenient if a handle were provided.

It is an aim of the present invention to provide a detachable handle which can easily be secured to a container and which can be removed from the container when the container is empty.

Accordingly, this invention provides a detachable handle for a container, which handle comprises a body portion which in use is positionable along a side of the container and which is adjustable in length to accommodate various sizes of container, and attachment means for attaching to a side or a top of the container.

The container may be, for example, a beverage can, a food can, or a chemical flask.

Preferably, the body portion is adjustable in length by being telescopic.

Advantageously, the body portion is provided with a finger grip section. The finger grip section may conveniently comprise a plurality of finger-receiving grooves.

When the attachment means is such that it is attachable to a side !of the container, then the attachment means preferably is attachable to an upper portion of withe side of the container.

The attachment means may be a pair of jaws for fitting to a side of the container.

Preferably, the jaws are resiliently biased towards a slightly closed position so that they are a tight push fit on to the side of the container.

Other types of attachment means may be employed such for example as strap means or chain means. The strap means may be a flat strap, a cord or the like.

When the attachment means is for attaching to a top of the container, then it may be clip means for clipping to the top of the container.

The clip means may have a portion for extending into the container through a hole in the top of the container.

Preferably, the clip means has a portion that extends into the container and is moveable back on itself to a position whereat it lies adjacent an underneath surface of the top of the container.

The attachment means may be foldable to an inoperative position for ease of storage for carrying purposes.

The detachable handle of the invention may include support means for engaging underneath the container, the support means being such that it allows the container to stand upright with the detachable handle in position on the container.

The support means may be a platform member. The platform member may have a flat base and a raised upper portion for engaging with the base of the container.

The support means is advantageously foldable to an inoperative position for ease of storage for carrying purposes.

The detachable handle of the invention may also include carrying means.

The carrying means may be such that it facilitates attachment to an article such for example as an article of clothing or a bag such as a rucksack.

The carrying means may be a simple hook member.

The detachable handle may be made from any desired material. Thus, for example, the detachable handle can be made from plastics materials. Typical plastics materials are polyvinyl chloride and nylon. The detachable handle can also be made from a metal such for example as stainless steel.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a side view of a first detachable handle in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is an end view looking from right to left as shown in Fig. 1; Figure 3 is a top plan view of the detachable handle shown in Fig. 1; Figure 4 is a side view of a second detachable handle in accordance with the invention; Figure 5 is a section through the top part of the detachable handle shown in Fig. 4 but in use on the top of a can; Figure 6 is a side view of a third detachable handle in accordance with the invention; Figure 7 is a top plan view of the detachable handle shown in Fig. 6; Figure 8 is a side view of a fourth detachable handle in accordance with the invention; and Figure 9 is a top plan view of the base of the detachable handle shown in Fig. 8.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, there is shown a detachable handle 2 comprising a body portion 4 which in use is positionable along a side of a container (not shown). The body portion 4 is adjustable in length to accommodate various sizes of container. The body portion 4 is preferably adjustable in length by being telescopic so that it may have first and second parts which telescope past each other.

The body portion 4 is provided with a finger grip section consisting of finger receiving grooves 6.

The detachable handle 2 also comprises at tachment means in the form of a pair of jaws 8 for attaching to a side of the container. The jaws 8 are resiliently biased to a slightly closed position so that they are a push fit on to the side of the container. The jaws 8 will normally fit around an upper portion of the side of the container.

The jaws 8 are preferably foldable in a clockwise manner about a pivot 10 so that they lie adjacent the grooves 6. This folded inoperative position of the jaws 8 enables the apparatus 2 easily to be stored for carrying purposes.

The apparatus 2 further comprises support means in the form of a platform member 12.

The platform member 12 fits underneath the bottom of the container. The platform member 12 is effective to stop particularly heavy containers slipping relative to the jaws 8. As shown, the platform member 12 has a large flat base 13 which is able to rest on a surface 15 and so enable the container to stand upright when the apparatus 2 is in position on the container. Also as shown, the platform member 12 has a domed upper portion 17 for engaging with the base of the container.

The platform member 12 is pivottable about a pivot 14 in an anti-clockwise manner. The platform member 12 is thus also pivottable so that it lies alongside the grooves 6. This folded or inoperative position of the platform member 12 facilitates ease of storage for carrying purposes.

The detachable handle 2 is provided with carrying means in the form of a hook member 16. The hook member 16 can be hooked on to an article such for example as an article of clothing or a ruck sack.

Referring now to Figs. 4 and 5, similar parts as in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 have been given the same reference numerals and their precise construction and operation will not again be given.

In Figs. 4 and 5, the attachment means is in the form of a clip 18 for clipping to the top of a container. The clip 18 is provided with a first part 20 which is fixed to the body portion 4 and a second parts 22 which swivels with respect to the part 20. The swivelling can be effected about a pivot 24 which can be hollow to serve also as an air hole.

Fig. 5 shows the part 22 inserted through a hole in the top of a container in the form of a can 26. The part 22 has been swivelled back upon itself so that it lies adjacent to a surface 28 of the top of the can 26. When the can 26 is empty, the part 22 can be swivelled back to the position shown in Fig. 4 to enable the detachable handle 2 to be detached from the can 26. The pivot 24 can be provided with gripping means (not shown) for swivelling the part 22 backwards and forwards.

Referring now to Figs. 6 and 7, similar parts as in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 have been given the same reference numerals. It will be seen that in Fig. 6, a separate handle 30 is provided and it is the handle 30 and not the body portion 4 that is provided with the finger receiving grooves 6. The base 12 is provided with a shoulder 32 and an upstanding rib 34.

The illustrated can 26 rests on the shoulder 32 and the rib 34. When the apparatus 2 is positioned around the can 26 as shown, the fingers of a hand gripping the handle 30 can rest against the side of the can 26 because the handle 30 is pivottable about a pivot 36.

Referring now to Figs. 8 and 9, similar parts as in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 have been given the same reference numerals. In Figs. 8 and 9, it will be seen that the base 12 is in the form of a flat platform with a central depression 38 in which the base 40 of the can 26 rests. The wall 42 of the depression 38 may be tapered to be complementary to the illustrated taper on the bottom 40 of the can 26.

It is to be appreciated that the embodiments of the invention described above with reference to the accompanying drawings have been given by way of example only and that modifications may be effected. Thus, for example, the detachable handle 2 shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 would normally be for use with a container in the form of a can but other types of container such for example as bottles or flasks may be employed. Also, the jaws 8 could be replaced by other types of attachment means such for example as a strap, a chain or a cord. Further, the precise shape of the body portion 4 and the platform member 12 can be varied.

Claims (20)

1. A detachable handle for a container, which handle comprises a body portion which in use is positionable along a side of the container and which is adjustable in length to accommodate various sizes of container, and attachment means for attaching to a side or a top of the container.

2. A detachable handle according to claim 1 in which the body portion is adjustable in length by being telescopic.

3. A detachable handle according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the body portion is provided with a finger grip section.

4. A detachable handle according to claim 3 in which the finger grip section comprises a plurality of finger-receiving grooves.

5. A detachable handle according to any one of the preceding claims in which the attachment means is a pair of jaws for fitting to a side of the container.

6. A detachable handle according to claim 5 in which the jaws are resiliently biased towards a slightly closed position so that they are a tight fit on to the side of the container.

7. A detachable handle according to any one of claims 1 to 4 in which the attachment means is strap means or chain means.

8. A detachable handle according to any one of claims 1 to 4 in which the attachment means is for attaching to a top of the container, and in which the attachment means is clip means for clipping to the top of the container.

9. A detachable handle according to claim 8 in which the clip means has a portion for extending into the container through a hole in the top of the container.

10. A detachable handle according to claim 8 or claim 9 in which the clip means has a portion that extends into the container and is movable back on itself to a position whereat it lies adjacent an underneath surface of the top of the container.

11. A detachable handle according to any one of the preceding claims in which the attachment means is foldable to an inoperative position for ease of the storage for carrying purposes.

12. A detachable handle according to any one of the preceding claims and including support means for engaging underneath the container, the support means being such that it allows the container to stand upright with the detachable handle in position on the container.

13. A detachable handle according to claim 12 in which the support means is a platform member.

14. A detachable handle according to claim 13 in which the platform member has a flat base and a raised upper portion for engaging with the base of the container.

15. A detachable handle according to any one of claims 12 to 14 in which the support means is foldable to an inoperative position for ease of storage for carrying purposes.

16. A detachable handle according to any one of the preceding claims and include carrying means.

17. A detachable handle according to claim 16 in which the carrying means is such that it facilitates attachment to an article.

18. A detachable handle according to claim 16 or claim 17 in which the carrying means is a hook member.

19. A detachable handle according to any one of the preceding claims and which is made from a plastics material.

20. A detachable handle substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.