GB2310129A - Carrying device - Google Patents

Description

Carrying Device for cases, bags etc.

The present invention relates to a device for use in carrying bags, cases or other articles.

Bags, cases and other articles often prove difficult to carry by hand, typically because of cumbersome size and the difficulty for the carrier of adequately distributing the weight of the article when carrying it.

I have now devised a device for use in carrying bags, cases or other articles, which permits these articles to be carried in a much easier and convenient manner.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a carrying device which comprises a rigid elongate body arranged to be rested on the user's shoulder, gripped at one end by the hand and having a bag or other article suspended from it, at or adjacent its opposite end.

In use, the user rests the rigid elongate body (e.g. a pole or shaft) over the shoulder and grips one end, which is preferably provided in the form of a handle, whilst the bag or other article is suspended from the opposite end of the elongate body member.

The carrying device effectively distributes the weight carried between the front and back of the shoulders, making carrying easier. It also helps to keep the back straight, in turn making carrying easier.

Preferably an end portion, from which the bag or other article is suspended, is angled relative to the main length of the elongate body.

Preferably the end portion of the elongate body is either formed with a concave-shape or provided with padding, to rest on the shoulder.

The end portion of the elongate body may be provided with a wide variety of different holding devices for the bag or other article, e.g. to receive the bag handle or to grip around the neck of a bag or other article.

The forward end of the elongate body may be provided with a torch, which in use would light up the path in front of the user (especially as, in use, the main length of the elongate body is directed forwardly and downwardly).

An alarm device may be build into the elongate body of the carrying device.

The torch and/or alarm device may be controlled by a touch switch in the forward end of the elongate body.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 is a side view of a first embodiment of carrying device in accordance with the invention; FIGURE 2 is a enlarged view of a modified form of lock for the carrying device; FIGURE 3 is a similar view of another form of lock for the device; FIGURE 4 is a side view of a second embodiment of carrying device in accordance with the invention; FIGURE 5 is a side view of a third embodiment of carrying device in accordance with the invention; FIGURE 6 is a side view of a fourth embodiment of carrying device in accordance with the invention; and FIGURES 7 and 8 are views of two modified forms of lock for the carrying device of Figure 5 or 6.

Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a carrying device which comprises a pole or shaft D having an end portion C extending at an acute angle to the main length of the pole D.

A handle E is provided at the opposite end of the main length D. The main length D and end portion C are connected together by a joint J which enables the angle between them to be altered, and then the two parts to be fixed together at the selected relative angle. The end portion C has an opening F at its free end, which is closable by an element A, thus forming a bag holding device.

The pole D may be telescopic or may be of modular construction. In particular, various bag holding devices may be interchangeably attached, e.g. using spring clips, to the end portion C of the carrying device. Further, the main length D and handle E of the carrying device may be modular so that different pole bodies and handles may be interchanged. The different modular bodies may include different devices, for example of types to be described below.

The pole D of Figure 1 is formed with a cutaway H, in this example in the end portion C, for locating over the shoulder of the user. Padding or cushioning material may be provided in the cutaway H.

It will be appreciated that, in use, the user rests the pole D over his shoulder, with the cutaway H located on the shoulder, and holding the handle E with one hand. The bag or other article to be carried is suspended by way of the holding device at the end of the pole D.

A torch may be provided in the handle E, powered by batteries which are housed in the pole, preferably at B in the end portion C.

Figure 2 shows a modified holding device, comprising a sliding sleeve R arranged to slide longitudinally: a pin S located in a slot in the sleeve to ensure straight-line movement of the sleeve. A further pin T, which is preferably spring-loaded, serves to lock the sliding sleeve in position at either end of its travel: it will be noted that the handle of a bag etc. can be hooked over the hook-shape projection U from the pole end portion C, then the sleeve R slid outwards (leftwards as seen in Figure 2) to close the top of the projection U and so retain the bag handle.

In the modified holding device of Figure 3, a combination lock W is provided to lock the sleeve R at least in its closed position.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the shaft of the carrying device comprises a bar of T-section, with an end portion angled relative to the main length. The shaft may however comprise any desired cross-sectional shape.

Figure 5 shows the use of another form of bag holding device, at the end of the carrying device. In this case, the holding device comprises a belt or strap which can be tied around the handle of the bag etc.: the belt or strap may be provided with a buckle or other means for fastening its end together.

The carrying device of Figure 6 is made up of a number of interlocking sections, some or all of which can be interchangeable. In this device, the end portion of the pole is provided with a curved element for resting on the shoulder.

In the devices of both Figures 5 and 6, the end portion is at a fixed angle to the main length of the pole.

In the modular forms of carrying device (such as Figure 6) the middle section could be changed for another having a built-in panic alarm or other device. The handle section can be changed for one having a torch or other device. In general, the batteries and electronic circuits for such devices may be housed in any section of the carrying device.

Figure 7 shows another form of holding device, which could be interchanged with the holding device shown in Figure 6. The holding device of Figure 7 comprises a loop of cord or other filament, and a slider having the cord passing through its opposite ends: by depressing spring-loaded grips at the opposite ends of the slider, the latter may be slid towards the closed end of the loop, to tighten the latter around a bag etc.

to be carried Figure 8 shows a similar holding device to Figure 7, but provided with a plurality of sliders on the loop of card.

Claims (13)

Claims

1) A carrying device which comprises a rigid elongate body arranged to be rested on the users shoulder, gripped at one end by the hand and having a bag or other article suspended from it, at or adjacent its opposite end.

2) A carrying device as claimed in claim 1, in which said elongate body has an end portion, at which the bag or other article is suspended, which extends at an angle to the main length of said member.

3) A carrying device as claimed in claim 2, comprising means allowing angular adjustment of said end portion relative to said main length.

4) A carrying device as claimed in any preceding claim, provided with a holding device, at the end of the elongate body from which the bag or other article is suspended, in the form of a generally hook-shaped projection.

5) A carrying device as claimed in claim 4, in which the holding device further comprises a movable element for closing the opening formed by said hook-shaped projection.

6) A carrying device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, provided with a holding device, at the end of the elongate body from which the bag or other article is suspended, in the form of a belt or strap the ends of which are arranged to tying or otherwise fastening together.

7) A carrying device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, provided with a holding device, at the end of the elongate body from which the bag or other article is suspended, in the form of a loop of cord or other flexible filament, and at least one slider the ends of which are engaged with said filament, so that said slider is slidable relative to said filament to close said loop.

8) A carrying device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the elongate body is provided with a concave formation, adjacent the end at which the bag or other article is suspended, for locating over the shoulder of the user.

9) A carrying device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, in which the elongate body is provided with padding or cushioning material, adjacent the end at which the bag or other article is to be suspended, for locating over the shoulder of the user.

lO) A carrying device as claimed in any preceding claim, which is of modular construction, enabling one or more sections of the elongate body to be interchanged.

11) A carrying device as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising a torch built into a handle section of said elongate body.

12) A carrying device as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising an alarm built into a section of said elongate body.

13) A carrying device substantially as herein described with reference to any Figure of the accompanying drawings.