Handle for paper bag

A handle device for releasable engagement with the upper end of a flexible object, for example a paper bag, comprising:

• a resilient wire-like member bent to the form of a closed loop of generally rectangular configuration having substantially parallel upper and lower sides,
• the upper side of the closed loop serving as a carrying handle,
• the lower side of the closed loop being formed by substantially parallel and coextensive, oppositely directed overlapped ends of the wire-like member to cooperate with each other to clamp the upper end of the object,
• one of the two oppositely directed ends being a flexible clamp arm, the other of the two oppositely directed ends being a cross rod that terminally loosely engages the base of the clamp arm to complete the closed loop while permitting relative adjustment between the clamp arm and cross rod to various thicknesses of the object,
• the outer end of the clamp arm being equipped with latch means for releasable engagement with the cross rod for clamping action on the object,
• the clamp arm at its free position forming in cooperation with the cross rod a slot open at the free end of the clamp arm to permit the upper end of the object to be initially inserted edgewise into the slot into a position with the full width of the end of the object being folded over the clamp arm and extending back between the clamp arm and the cross rod, and
• the clamp arm in its latched position being operative under the weight of the object to pull the clamp arm downward in a manner to press the object against the cross rod with increased clamping force, and to cause the cross rod to keep the object folded against itself for effective weight-bearing engagement of the object by the handle device.