Adjustable handle system for a carrying case

Abstract

An adjustable handle system ( 11 ) for a carrying case ( 10 ) includes an extendable and retractable member having first and second vertical members ( 15 ) and a horizontal member ( 16 ) coupled between a top portion of the first and second vertical members and a handle ( 13 ) pivotably coupled to the horizontal member, wherein the handle selectively pivots about the horizontal member and selectively locks in at least one of a plurality of positions.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An adjustable handle system for a carrying case, comprising: 
 an extendable and retractable member having first and second vertical members and a horizontal member coupled between a top portion of said first and second vertical members; and    a handle pivotably coupled to the horizontal member, wherein the handle selectively pivots about the horizontal member and selectively locks in at least one of a plurality of positions.    
     
     
         2 . The adjustable handle system of  claim 1 , wherein the handle is smaller than the extendable and retractable member and freely pivots within the confines of the extendable and retractable member.  
     
     
         3 . The adjustable handle system of  claim 1 , wherein the handle is a substantially U-shaped bar.  
     
     
         4 . The adjustable handle system of  claim 3 , wherein the handle further comprises a grasping bar attached to and extending from the substantially U-shaped.  
     
     
         5 . The adjustable handle system of  claim 1 , wherein the extendable and retractable first member and the handle both fit within a storage area for the first member in a retracted position when the handle is placed in a position parallel to the first member.  
     
     
         6 . The adjustable handle system of  claim 1 , wherein the adjustable handle system further comprises a locking mechanism having a button on the handle allowing a user to selective lock the handle in any one of a plurality of positions.  
     
     
         7 . The adjustable handle system of  claim 1 , wherein the adjustable handle system further comprises a locking mechanism on the horizontal member allowing a user to selectively lock the handle in any one of a plurality of positions.  
     
     
         8 . The adjustable handle system of  claim 7 , wherein the locking mechanism further comprises a button on the horizontal member.  
     
     
         9 . The adjustable handle system of  claim 1 , wherein the adjustable handle system further comprises a locking mechanism allowing a user to selectively lock the handle in one of three positions.  
     
     
         10 . The adjustable handle system of claim  91  wherein the locking mechanism further comprises a button on the locking mechanism.  
     
     
         11 . The adjustable handle system of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second vertical members are comprised of two or more telescoping sections.  
     
     
         12 . An adjustable handle system for a carrying case, comprising: 
 an extendable and retractable vertical member having a horizontal portion therein on a top portion of said vertical member; and    a handle pivotably coupled to the horizontal portion, wherein the handle selectively pivots about the horizontal portion and selectively locks in at least one of a plurality of positions.    
     
     
         13 . The adjustable handle system of  claim 12 , wherein the handle is smaller than the extendable and retractable vertical member and freely pivots within the confines of the extendable and retractable member.  
     
     
         14 . The adjustable handle system of  claim 12 , wherein the handle is a substantially straight-shaped grasping bar.  
     
     
         15 . The adjustable handle system of  claim 12 , wherein the handle is a substantially U-shaped bar.  
     
     
         16 . The adjustable handle system of  claim 15 , wherein the handle further comprises a grasping bar attached to and extending from the substantially U-shaped bar.  
     
     
         17 . The adjustable handle system of  claim 12 , wherein the extendable and retractable member and the handle both fit within a storage area for the extendable and retractable vertical member in a retracted position when the handle is placed in a position parallel to the extendable and retractable vertical member.  
     
     
         18 . The adjustable handle system of  claim 12 , wherein the adjustable handle system further comprises a locking mechanism on the handle allowing a user to selectively lock the handle in any one of a plurality of positions.  
     
     
         19 . The adjustable handle system of  claim 12 , wherein the adjustable handle system further comprises a locking mechanism having a button on the horizontal portion allowing a user to selective lock the handle in any one of a plurality of positions.  
     
     
         20 . The adjustable handle system of  claim 12 , wherein the adjustable handle system further comprises a locking mechanism having a button allowing a user to selective lock the handle in one of three positions.  
     
     
         21 . A carrying case, comprising: 
 at least one wheel on a bottom portion of said carrying case; and    an adjustable handle system for a carrying case, wherein the system comprises: 
 an extendable and retractable vertical member having a horizontal portion therein on a top portion of said vertical member; and  
 a handle pivotably coupled to the horizontal portion, wherein the handle selectively pivots about the horizontal portion and selectively locks in at least one of a plurality of positions.  
   
     
     
         22 . The carrying case of  claim 21 , wherein the extendable and retractable member has first and second vertical members and the horizontal portion is a horizontal member coupled between a top portion of said first and second vertical members.  
     
     
         23 . The carrying case of  claim 22 , wherein the handle pivots about the horizontal member.  
     
     
         24 . The carrying case of  claim 23 , wherein the extendable and retractable member and the handle both fit within a storage area for the extendable and retractable member in a retracted position when the handle is placed in a position parallel to the extendable and retractable member.