Luggage extension handle having a ring-shaped grip

An extension handle, comprising:

• a handle portion comprising a first handle rod having a proximal end and a distal end, the first handle rod attached to an item of luggage so that the first handle rod is capable of being slid from a retracted position to an extended position relative to the item of luggage;
• an engagement latch configured to fix the proximal end of the first handle rod relative to the item of luggage when the first handle rod is in the extended position;
• a ring-shaped grip coupled to the distal end of the first handle rod, the ring-shaped grip comprising a push-button and a motion transfer ring set within an interior space of the ring-shaped grip and coupled to the push-button such that the motion transfer ring is configured to move linearly when the push-button is depressed;
• a motion transfer rod that passes through an opening connecting the interior space of the ring-shaped grip to an interior space of the handle portion, wherein the motion transfer rod is coupled to the motion transfer ring and configured to extend linearly into the interior space of the handle portion when the motion transfer ring moves linearly;
• and
• an actuator disposed in the interior space of the handle portion, the actuator coupled to the motion transfer rod and to the engagement latch, wherein the actuator is configured to move linearly in the direction of the engagement latch when the motion transfer rod extends linearly into the interior space of the handle, and the engagement latch is configured disengage when the actuator moves linearly in the direction of the engagement latch.