Replacement gripping member
OwnerJohn Josephinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An improved gripping member for a weight bearing container. The gripping member is specifically designed to either replace an existing gripping member, or improve a two part handle for a weight bearing container by providing a larger diameter gripping surface. The improved gripping member is formed of two mating halves that can be releasably attached to form a cylindrical gripping surface with a relatively large diameter. When attached about an existing gripping member or wire handle portion of a two part handle the inventive gripping member provides a large diameter gripping surface to distribute the weight of the container about a larger portion of the user's palm.
Claims5
A gripping member for a weight bearing container having a wire handle comprising:
- a male and female half, said male and female halves having attachment surfaces, the male half having tabs and the female member having tab receiving recesses, said tabs and recesses allowing for selectively joining said male and female half;
- each tab having a wall extending from said male attachment surface, said wall having a semi-cylindrical protrusion and a generally perpendicular co-extensive flange;
- each recess formed in said female attachment surface and having an arcuate indentation formed therein, said indentation sized for snap fit engagement with said semi-cylindrical protrusion;
- whereby both unintended lateral and vertical separation of said male and female halves is limited by interaction of said tabs within said recesses.
A method of providing a portable handle for a weight bearing container or item having an existing elongated weight bearing member, the method comprising the steps of:
- forming a male and female half of said handle, said male and female halves having an internal channel sized to surround and contain said existing elongated weight bearing member when joined;
- forming tabs in said male half and recesses in said female half, said tabs sized for releasable engagement within said recesses, said recesses having an insertion opening and a tab engaging slot.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.