An ergonomic handle (22) used to carry loaded plastic grocery bags and baskets more comfortably, and providing a way to hold all of the bag handles together. The handle (22) comprises: a rigid inner tubular structure (30), a soft outer foam casing (60), a connector (80), a clip (90), and elastic ban
An ergonomic handle (22) used to carry loaded plastic grocery bags and baskets more comfortably, and providing a way to hold all of the bag handles together. The handle (22) comprises: a rigid inner tubular structure (30), a soft outer foam casing (60), a connector (80), a clip (90), and elastic band (140), and possibly a key ring (150). Tube (30) provides support for the hand, access of bag handles to a confined storage space in handle (22), a guiding mechanism, a locking mechanism, and an aperture to attach handle (22) to other objects. The ergonomically shaped foam casing (60) that surrounds tube (30) provides cushioning and helps the handle conform to different sized hands. Connector (80) provides an easy way to attach handle (22) to clip (90). Clip (90) provides a quick and easy way to attach handle (22) to key ring (150)--to keep the handle accessible and visible. Elastic band (140) provides a way to close the wide mouth of plastic bags (to keep the contents inside). Band (140) may also be attached to clip (90) to provide a new way to transport and store handle (22) in visible locations. Band (140) may also be attached to a key ring (150) for transportation and storage of keys.
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I claim: 1. An ergonomic handle that may be used to carry filled plastic shopping bags and grocery baskets more comfortably and may be stored conveniently, comprising: an elongated, substantially tubular structure (30), of a material and construction such that said tubular structure is substantiall
I claim: 1. An ergonomic handle that may be used to carry filled plastic shopping bags and grocery baskets more comfortably and may be stored conveniently, comprising: an elongated, substantially tubular structure (30), of a material and construction such that said tubular structure is substantially rigid, said tubular structure having an internal longitudinal bore, open from end to end, said tubular structure having a longitudinal handle-admission slit, along top (32), from end to end, said tubular structure not having any ridges and recesses on outer surface (50) that align in a straight line; and at least one multipurpose primary connector, said connector comprising a permanently closed loop elastic band; said band having a substantially circular or oval shape in its original, relaxed state; said band being any size between ��" and 8" long; said band being made of, or including rubber or a similar rubber-like material, or having a rubber-band like construction; such that said band is able to be easily manually expanded to increase its circumference a significant amount, and such that when this manual pressure is released, said band will automatically contract to substantially regain its prior size and shape; the inherent resiliency of the materials and/or construction allowing said band to be so expanded and contracted numerous times; said resiliency allowing said band to be stored on said tubular structure very compactly, by being expanded around and contracting to fit snugly around said material of said tubular structure; said band being easy to attach to said handle and/or other objects for storage; said band being easy to detach from said handle and/or other objects; and whereby said elastic band can provide all of the following possible uses, though not necessarily simultaneously: to help the handle from rotating on the bag loops, to keep the handle in its proper orientation; to align all the bag loops to form a single opening, this single opening making it quicker and easier to pick up the handle; to temporarily close the necks of the bags, to prevent items from coming out of the bags unintentionally, as might occur if the bags tip over; to reduce air pockets in the bags, which will help prevent items within the bags from moving around in the bags, which should reduce breakage or damage of fragile items; to provide a quick and easy way to attach the handle to and detach the handle from a key ring or various other objects, for more versatility in carrying and storing the handle; to provide a quick and easy way to attach a key ring to and detach a key ring from a variety of other objects--for ease of carrying one's keys, for more secure storage of one's keys, and to make it easier to locate one's keys. 2. The ergonomic handle of claim 1, further comprising at least one secondary connector, said secondary connectors comprising one of: a small ring, a clip, a keyring, a chain key-ring, or similar elements. 3. The ergonomic handle of claim 1, further including a hole near one edge of said tubular structure. 4. The ergonomic handle of claim 1, further including a casing. 5. The ergonomic handle of claim 1, wherein said material of said tubular structure is rounded and/or beveled at, and/or tapered towards one or more edges, such that said material varies in thickness and does not have only 90-degree corners at said edges. 6. The ergonomic handle of claim 1, wherein said slit in said tubular structure is less than ��" wide at the narrowest portion. 7. The ergonomic handle of claim 1, wherein said tubular structure has one or more beveled and/or rounded corners at one or both ends of said slit, forming notches, such that said slit is wider at one or both said ends than at some portion between said ends. 8. The ergonomic handle of claim 1, wherein said slit in said tubular structure varies in width; and, at the narrowest portion of said slit, sides (47) of said slit are in direct contact with one another. 9. The ergonomic handle of claim 1, wherein said material of said tubular structure tapers, or otherwise decreases in thickness, from bottom (34) to top (32). 10. The ergonomic handle of claim 1, wherein said material of said tubular structure tapers, or otherwise decreases in thickness, from a predetermined portion between said ends towards each said end, such that some portion of said tubular structure has a longitudinally convex outer surface. 11. The ergonomic handle of claim 1, further including at least one quick-release secondary connector, these connectors comprising: clips, chain key rings, or similar elements. 12. The ergonomic handle of claim 1, wherein said closed loop elastic band comprises a hair band, the construction of said hair band increasing the durability and versatility of the band, and by extension, of the overall handle as well. 13. An ergonomic handle that may be used to carry filled plastic shopping bags and/or grocery baskets more comfortably comprising: a handle member, and at least one multipurpose primary connector, said connector comprising a permanently closed loop elastic band which is not permanently attached to said handle; said band having a circular or oval shape in its original, relaxed state; said band having an inner circumference in said relaxed state that is not larger than the perimeter of the thickest lengthwise cross-section of said handle; said band being made of, or including rubber or a similar rubber-like material or having a rubber-band like construction; said band being able to be stored on said handle very compactly, by fitting snugly around the width or length of said handle; said band being easy to attach to said handle and/or other objects for storage; said band being easy to detach from said handle and/or other objects; and whereby said elastic band can provide all of the following possible uses: to help the handle from rotating on the bag loops, to keep the handle in its proper orientation; to align all the bag loops to form a single opening, this single opening making it quicker and easier to pick up the handle; to temporarily close the necks of the bags, to prevent items from coming out of the bags unintentionally, such as might occur if the bags tip over; to reduce air pockets in the bags, which will help prevent items within the bags from moving around in the bags, which should reduce breakage or damage of fragile items; to provide a quick and easy way to attach the handle to and detach the handle from a key ring or various other objects, for more versatility in carrying and storing the handle; to provide a quick and easy way to attach a key ring to and detach a key ring from a variety of other objects--for ease of carrying one's keys, for more secure storage of one's keys, and to make it easier to locate one's keys. 14. An ergonomic handle that may be used to carry filled plastic shopping bags and grocery baskets more comfortably and may be stored conveniently, comprising: an elongated, substantially tubular structure (30), of a material and construction such that said tubular structure is substantially rigid; said tubular structure having an internal longitudinal bore (52), that is open from end to end; said tubular structure having a longitudinal handle-admission slit along top (32) from end to end, said slit extending from inner surface (48) to outer surface (50) from end to end; said tubular structure not having any ridges and recesses on said outer surface that align in a straight line; and said handle including a means to attach said handle to other objects, said means being part of said tubular structure, and a connector, comprising a necklace or other similar flexible, shape-shifting items which have loose ends that can be quickly, easily, and repeatedly fastened and unfastened to form a loop or band, whereby the easily connectable loose ends, sufficient length, flexibility, & adjustability of these connectors are particularly well suited to: make these connectors quick and easy to attach to and detach from the handle, make these connectors quick and easy to attach to and detach from other objects, provide various ways to attach the handle to other objects, for more versatility in carrying and storing the handle; enable the handle to be attached to a variety of objects, not just to a small key ring, to keep said handle more visible and easily accessible; and to provide a way to quickly and easily attach a key ring to various other objects for ease of transportation, more secure storage, and greater visibility of one's keys. 15. The ergonomic handle of claim 14, further including a hole near one edge of said tubular structure, and at least one element from the group of quick-release secondary connectors: clip (90), chain key ring, or similar elements, which can be attached to and detached from said hole of said tubular structure; said quick-release connectors not needing to be wound all the way around the slit in a key ring to be attached to same, so that they may be more quickly and easily attached to and detached from said key ring; said quick-release connectors also allowing said handle to be attached to said key ring without having to pass the material surrounding said hole in said handle all the way around said slit in said key ring, so that said handle may be more quickly and easily attached to and detached from said key ring; whereby said quick-release connectors allow said handle to be attached to and detached from said key ring more quickly and easily, and whereby said quick-release connectors will also allow said handle to be easily attached to and detached from various objects, for greater visibility and accessibility of said handle, and whereby said quick-release connectors will allow said key ring to be easily attached to and detached from various other objects, for transportation and storage of one's keys. 16. The ergonomic handle of claim 14, further including at least one multipurpose connector, said multipurpose connector comprising some type of elastic band. 17. The ergonomic handle of claim 14, further including at least one element from the group of ring-shaped secondary connectors, comprising: a jump ring (80), a small split ring (80'), a key ring (150), or similar substantially rigid, ring-shaped elements. 18. The ergonomic handle of claim 14, further including an outer casing. 19. The ergonomic handle of claim 14, wherein said material of said tubular structure is rounded and/or beveled at, and/or tapers towards any edge, so that the material varies in thickness, and does not have only 90 degree corners. 20. The ergonomic handle of claim 14, wherein slit (46) in said tubular structure varies in width, and, at the narrowest portion of said slit, sides (47) of said slit are in direct contact with one another. 21. The ergonomic handle of claim 14, wherein said handle has one or more beveled and/or rounded corners at one or both ends of said slit, forming notches, such that said slit is wider at one or both said ends than at some portion between said ends. 22. The ergonomic handle of claim 14, wherein all perimeter edges of said material of said tubular structure are rounded from outer surface (50) to inner surface (48), including said edges at said ends, at sides (47) of said slit, and at any notches or corners. 23. The ergonomic handle of claim 14, wherein said material of said tubular structure tapers, or otherwise decreases in thickness, from bottom (34) to top (32). 24. The ergonomic handle of claim 14, wherein said material of said tubular structure tapers, or otherwise decreases in thickness, from a predetermined portion between said ends towards each said end, such that some portion of said tubular structure has a longitudinally convex outer surface. 25. An ergonomic handle that may be used to carry plastic grocery bags and plastic grocery baskets more comfortably, said handle comprising: an elongated, substantially tubular structure (30) of a substantially rigid material, with a substantially cylindrical longitudinal bore (52) that is intermediate a top (32) and a bottom (34) and is open at each end (38,39), and a longitudinal admission slit (46) along said top of the tubular structure, said slit being less than �� inches wide at the narrowest portion and as narrow as possible to provide said handle with the most effective locking means while still wide enough to allow bag loops access into said bore, said slit extending from an inner surface (48) of the tubular structure to an outer surface (50) of the tubular structure from end to end, said tubular structure not having any ridges or recesses on its outer surface that align in a straight line; and an outer casing (60) of a compressible and resilient material, an outer surface (76) thereof being substantially curved in cross-section, said casing having open ends (68,69) and a longitudinal gap (72) along a top (62) of said casing that extends from its inner surface (74) to its outer surface (76), from end to end; said gap being at least as wide or wider than said slit, and said gap being aligned with said slit to allow bag handles access down into said bore of said tubular structure, said material of said outer casing decreasing in thickness towards each side adjacent said gap such that the outer surface (76) of said casing does not form ninety-degree angles with the sides (73) of said gap, and such that said material of said casing maintains at least a minimum thickness across the approximate middle portion between the ends at a bottom (64) of the casing, wherein the thickness of material at said middle portion of said bottom is at least as thick or thicker than the material at sides (66) of said casing and at sides of the gap at the top of the casing; and wherein said longitudinal gap in said casing is wider at its narrowest portion than said longitudinal slit in said tubular structure at its narrowest portion, so that the edges of said casing at said gap are offset from the edges of said tubular structure at said slit. 26. The ergonomic handle of claim 25, wherein the material of said tubular structure is rounded and/or beveled at, and/or tapers toward any predetermined edges; such that said material varies in thickness at some portion, and does not have only 90 Degree corners; and such that any straight bevels at ends (38 & 39) of said tubular structure are used to form only obtuse, not acute, angles in said material; whereby these exposed edges will be blunted, and therefore less likely to cause any harm to one's hand or said bag loops. 27. The ergonomic handle of claim 25, wherein said material of said casing is rounded and/or beveled at, and/or tapers toward any predetermined edges; such that said material varies in thickness at some portion, and does not have only 90 degree corners. 28. The ergonomic handle of claim 25, wherein said material of said casing and/or the material of said tubular structure tapers or otherwise decreases in thickness, from the side opposite their respective gap or slit towards each side of their said respective gap or slit, across the majority of the length of said handle, so that one or more of the materials of said handle will be thicker at the bottom of said handle than at the top of said handle. 29. The ergonomic handle of claim 25, wherein said material of said casing and/or the material of said tubular structure tapers or otherwise decreases in thickness, from a predetermined portion between said ends towards each said end, such that outer surface (76) of said casing and/or outer surface (50) of said tubular structure gives some portion of said handle a longitudinally convex surface. 30. The ergonomic handle of claim 25, wherein said tubular structure has an aperture, comprising a hole (42) or notch at or near one edge; and said casing has an aperture, comprising a hole or notch (70) at or near one edge, that is aligned with said aperture in said tubular structure; whereby these aligned apertures will allow various objects to be attached to said handle. 31. The ergonomic handle of claim 25, wherein said tubular structure has a tab (44) that extends out from an edge, said tab having a hole (42) extending through it, whereby said hole in said tab will allow various objects to be attached to said handle. 32. The ergonomic handle of claim 25, wherein slit (46) in said tubular structure varies in width, and, at the narrowest portion of said slit, sides (47) of said slit are in direct contact with one another. 33. The ergonomic handle of claim 25, wherein both said tubular structure and said casing have at least one rounded and/or beveled corner at one or both ends of their respective slit or gap, such that each rounded and/or beveled corner in said tubular structure has a corresponding rounded and/or beveled corner in said casing; these aligned, rounded and/or beveled corners forming one or more notches, so that said slit and said gap are wider at one or both ends than they are at some portion between said ends, which will help to guide bag handles into said bore of said tubular structure. 34. The ergonomic handle of claim 25, further including a small hole near one edge, said hole extending from the outer surface of said handle to the inner surface of said handle, and a quick-release secondary connector comprising a clip or similar elements. 35. The ergonomic handle of claim 25, further including a small hole near one edge, said hole extending from the outer surface of said handle to the inner surface of said handle, and a ring-shaped secondary connector comprising a split ring, jump ring, or similar elements. 36. The ergonomic handle of claim 25, further including a multipurpose connector comprising an elastic band, a necklace, a ribbon, a string, or similar elements. 37. The ergonomic handle of claim 25, wherein said casing of said handle has a distinct, intentional pattern on said outer surface. 38. The ergonomic handle of claim 25, wherein said casing of said handle is made of more than one material or more than one density of the same material. 39. The ergonomic handle of claim 25, wherein said outer surface of said casing is rounded at each side of said gap, but said inner surface of said casing is not rounded to each side of said gap. 40. The ergonomic handle of claim 25, wherein said material of said casing tapers lengthwise from the outer surface to the inner surface and from the center towards each end, along the majority of the middle portion of the handle, then sharply rounds at the ends; so that any lengthwise cross-section will show the outer surface of the casing being composed of more than one longitudinal arc from end to end, these longitudinal arcs varying in shape around the circumference of the tubular structure, the central lengthwise arc having the most curvature at said bottom of said casing, and almost none at said top of said casing.
Bourgeois Barbara S. (3107 Orris La. ; Apartment 110 Metairie LA 70002) Dupuis Kim S. (3107 Orris La. ; Apartment 110 Metairie LA 70002), Detachable shopping bag handle.
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