Case and handle
United States Patent 3878964
A handle mounted for pivotal and slidable movement on an instrument case, said handle being positionable in any one of three predetermined positions.
US Patent References:
Means for supporting kettle bails
Kircher - January 1929 - 1698915
/3124266.html
Morgan - March 1964 - 3124266
Means for supporting kettle bails
Kircher - January 1929 - 1698915
/3124266.html
Morgan - March 1964 - 3124266
Application Number:
05/419683
Publication Date:
04/22/1975
Filing Date:
11/28/1973
View Patent Images:
Export Citation:
Assignee:
Q-V.S. Inc. (East Orange, NJ)
Primary Class:
Other Classes:
220/765, 294/142, 294/167, 248/688, 73/431
International Classes:
F16M11/10; G12B9/04; F16M11/02; G12B9/00; B65D25/28
Field of Search:
248/12,13,471,114,116,126 240/1.6F,8.18,52.3,52.5,57.1,81,81C,18BC 206/305 220/94,96,55.7,55.4 16/115,110 224/46,45R
Primary Examiner:
Spar, Robert J.
Assistant Examiner:
Noland, Kenneth
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
Jurick, Rudolph J.
Claims:
Having now described the invention what I desire to protect by letters patent is set forth in the following claims
1. In combination,
1. In combination,
Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In certain electrical instruments it is desirable to provide a carrying handle which can be retracted when the instrument is shipped or used in a vertical position, and which can be rotated to support the instrument in an inclined position. Various handle constructions and arrangements have been provided for these purposes, but these are of relatively expensive construction and/or do not provide a positive, rigid support for the instrument when placed in the inclined position.
In accordance with this invention, a carrying handle is attached to a case by simple, inexpensive means and in such manner that it provides a positive support for positioning the case at an angle on a flat surface.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A pair of pins extend from the side walls of a case and project through aligned slots formed in the leg portions of a U-shaped handle. The leg portions of the handle are slidable between a flange and a boss formed integrally with the case, whereby the handle can be moved between retracted and extended positions relative to the case. Also, the handle can be pivoted about the pins to an inclined position relative to the plane of the case and locked in such position.
An object of this invention is the provision of a handle mounted on a case in such manner as to permit positioning of the handle in three positions relative to the case.
An object of this invention is the provision of an improved arrangement for attaching a handle to an instrument case, which handle can be moved to an extended or retracted position relative to the case, or can be pivotally moved into a position for supporting the case at an angle on a flat surface.
The above-stated and other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description when taken with the accompanying drawings. It will be understood, however, that the drawings are for purposes of illustration and are not to be construed as defining the scope or limits of the invention, reference being had for the latter purpose to the claims appended hereto.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the drawings wherein like reference characters denote like parts in the several views:
FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of an instrument case provided with a handle in accordance with this invention, the handle being shown in the retracted position;
FIG. 2 is a corresponding right side elevational view;
FIG. 3 is similar to FIG. 2 but showing the handle in the extended position, and
FIG. 4 is a side elevational view showing the handle in the position for supporting the case at an angle on a flat surface.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown an instrument case 10 having an integral, peripheral flange 11 and feet 12. The front of the case is closed by a panel 13 carrying an electrical indicating instrument 14, adjustable knobs 15 and pin jacks 16. A U-shaped, metal handle 17 has leg portions 18 and 19 spanning the case, which leg portions have aligned slots formed therein, the slot 20 in the leg portion 19 being visible in FIG. 2. Extending from the side walls of the case are a pair of aligned pins 21 and 22, which pins are slidable within the associated slots formed in the leg portions of the handle. Visible in FIG. 2 is an elongated boss 23 formed integrally with the case. The upper edge of this boss is aligned with the lower wall of a notch 24 formed in the case flange 11. A similar boss extends from the opposite side wall of the case and, also, a similar notch is formed in the case flange on the said opposite side of the case.
The leg portions of the handle are slidable between the case flange and the two bosses. Thus, the handle can be depressed to the fully retracted position shown in FIG. 2, as when the instrument is packed for shipment or is used in the upright position. Or, the handle can be fully extended as shown in FIG. 3 for carrying purposes. When it is desired to use the instrument in an inclined position, the handle is first extended to the position shown in FIG. 3 and then rotated about the pins extending from the side walls of the case until the leg portions engage the associated bosses, see FIG. 4 wherein the leg portion 19 is in engagement with the boss 23. Now, the handle is pressed toward the case, whereby the ends of the leg portions enter into the notches formed in the case flange. When the handle is in this position, the notches and the bosses prevent counterclockwise and clockwise rotation, respectively, of the handle relative to the case, thereby providing a positive support for the instrument. Upon withdrawing the handle leg portions from the flange notches, the handle can be pivoted back to the position shown in FIG. 3 and depressed to the position shown in FIG. 2.
In certain electrical instruments it is desirable to provide a carrying handle which can be retracted when the instrument is shipped or used in a vertical position, and which can be rotated to support the instrument in an inclined position. Various handle constructions and arrangements have been provided for these purposes, but these are of relatively expensive construction and/or do not provide a positive, rigid support for the instrument when placed in the inclined position.
In accordance with this invention, a carrying handle is attached to a case by simple, inexpensive means and in such manner that it provides a positive support for positioning the case at an angle on a flat surface.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A pair of pins extend from the side walls of a case and project through aligned slots formed in the leg portions of a U-shaped handle. The leg portions of the handle are slidable between a flange and a boss formed integrally with the case, whereby the handle can be moved between retracted and extended positions relative to the case. Also, the handle can be pivoted about the pins to an inclined position relative to the plane of the case and locked in such position.
An object of this invention is the provision of a handle mounted on a case in such manner as to permit positioning of the handle in three positions relative to the case.
An object of this invention is the provision of an improved arrangement for attaching a handle to an instrument case, which handle can be moved to an extended or retracted position relative to the case, or can be pivotally moved into a position for supporting the case at an angle on a flat surface.
The above-stated and other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description when taken with the accompanying drawings. It will be understood, however, that the drawings are for purposes of illustration and are not to be construed as defining the scope or limits of the invention, reference being had for the latter purpose to the claims appended hereto.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the drawings wherein like reference characters denote like parts in the several views:
FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of an instrument case provided with a handle in accordance with this invention, the handle being shown in the retracted position;
FIG. 2 is a corresponding right side elevational view;
FIG. 3 is similar to FIG. 2 but showing the handle in the extended position, and
FIG. 4 is a side elevational view showing the handle in the position for supporting the case at an angle on a flat surface.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown an instrument case 10 having an integral, peripheral flange 11 and feet 12. The front of the case is closed by a panel 13 carrying an electrical indicating instrument 14, adjustable knobs 15 and pin jacks 16. A U-shaped, metal handle 17 has leg portions 18 and 19 spanning the case, which leg portions have aligned slots formed therein, the slot 20 in the leg portion 19 being visible in FIG. 2. Extending from the side walls of the case are a pair of aligned pins 21 and 22, which pins are slidable within the associated slots formed in the leg portions of the handle. Visible in FIG. 2 is an elongated boss 23 formed integrally with the case. The upper edge of this boss is aligned with the lower wall of a notch 24 formed in the case flange 11. A similar boss extends from the opposite side wall of the case and, also, a similar notch is formed in the case flange on the said opposite side of the case.
The leg portions of the handle are slidable between the case flange and the two bosses. Thus, the handle can be depressed to the fully retracted position shown in FIG. 2, as when the instrument is packed for shipment or is used in the upright position. Or, the handle can be fully extended as shown in FIG. 3 for carrying purposes. When it is desired to use the instrument in an inclined position, the handle is first extended to the position shown in FIG. 3 and then rotated about the pins extending from the side walls of the case until the leg portions engage the associated bosses, see FIG. 4 wherein the leg portion 19 is in engagement with the boss 23. Now, the handle is pressed toward the case, whereby the ends of the leg portions enter into the notches formed in the case flange. When the handle is in this position, the notches and the bosses prevent counterclockwise and clockwise rotation, respectively, of the handle relative to the case, thereby providing a positive support for the instrument. Upon withdrawing the handle leg portions from the flange notches, the handle can be pivoted back to the position shown in FIG. 3 and depressed to the position shown in FIG. 2.