Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
221 words
A handle assembly for a suitcase of rigid structure having a bottom, top, sides and ends and rolling elements at at least one end of the bottom, said handle assembly comprising: a fixed vertical member of outwardly opening U-shaped channel cross section secured to one end of the suitcase near the top thereof, a handle comprising a member of U-shaped channel cross section pivotally connected at an inner end to an upper end portion of said fixed member for pivotal movement between a closed position in which it is nested with said fixed member and an open position in which it extends approximately perpendicularly from said fixed member, a brace member having an inner end pivotally connected to said fixed vertical member at a point below the pivotal connection of said handle member, and an enlarged outer end slidable in a channel provided in said channel shaped cross-section of said handle member, stop means in said channel for limiting the sliding movement therein of said outer end of said brace member, and a double-curved spring strip secured to said fixed member and engaging said brace member to exert a force thereon to retain said handle member in its closed position when in said closed position and to retain said handle member in its open position when moved to said open position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
221 words
A handle assembly for a suitcase of rigid structure having a bottom, top, sides and ends and rolling elements at at least one end of the bottom, said handle assembly comprising: a fixed vertical member of outwardly opening U-shaped channel cross section secured to one end of the suitcase near the top thereof, a handle comprising a member of U-shaped channel cross section pivotally connected at an inner end to an upper end portion of said fixed member for pivotal movement between a closed position in which it is nested with said fixed member and an open position in which it extends approximately perpendicularly from said fixed member, a brace member having an inner end pivotally connected to said fixed vertical member at a point below the pivotal connection of said handle member, and an enlarged outer end slidable in a channel provided in said channel shaped cross-section of said handle member, stop means in said channel for limiting the sliding movement therein of said outer end of said brace member, and a double-curved spring strip secured to said fixed member and engaging said brace member to exert a force thereon to retain said handle member in its closed position when in said closed position and to retain said handle member in its open position when moved to said open position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
A handle assembly according to claim 1, in which said brace member is of channel cross-section with an inner end portion flattened and provided with a hole for a pivot pin and with a transverse pin spaced from said hole for engagement by said spring strip.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
A handle assembly according to claim 2, in which said spring strip has a flat portion which is secured to said fixed member and a free end portion which is bifurcated to straddle said flattened end portion of said brace member and engage opposite end portions of said transverse pin.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
69 words
A handle assembly according to claim 3, in which said bifurcated free end portion of said spring strip is reversely curved to provide a first curved portion engaging said transverse pin to bias said brace member in a direction to hold said handle member in closed position and a second curved portion engaging said transverse pin to bias said brace member to hold said handle member in open position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
80 words
A handle assembly according to claim 1, in which said fixed member is shorter than said handle member and is received in an inboard portion of said handle member when in its closed position, and in which said handle further includes a molded element which is received in an outboard portion of said handle member of U-shaped cross-section, the combined length of said fixed member and said molded element not exceeding the length of said handle member of channel cross-section.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
45 words
A handle assembly according to claim 5, in which said molded element provides a channel in which said outer end of said brace member is slidable and a stop for limiting movement of said brace member in a direction to open position of said handle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
68 words
A handle assembly according to claim 5, in which said molded element is provided in an outer end portion with a recess extending perpendicular to said handle member of channel cross-section and in which a retractable lug is received in said recess and is spring biased to a position in which it projects from said molded element to prevent a user's hand from slipping off of said handle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
A handle assembly according to claim 5, in which a portion of said molded element is formed with indentations to receive the fingers of a user's hand grasping the handle.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
A handle assembly according to claim 8, in which said handle has a length of approximately 28 cm and the portion of said molded element provided with said indentations has a length of approximately 10 cm.