Carry assist device

Abstract

Disclosed herein are various embodiments of a carry assist device for receiving one or more bag handles. In one disclosed embodiment, the carry assist device comprises a hollow handle that extends generally longitudinally from a first open end of the handle to a second open end of the handle. The handle has a top and a bottom, and the top defines a slot which extends generally longitudinally along the top. The handle has, near the top and at the first end, first and second projections which extend generally longitudinally beyond the bottom of the handle. The first and second projections form therebetween a first lead-in which is in communication with the slot.

1 . A carry assist device for receiving one or more bag handles, comprising: 
 a hollow handle that extends generally longitudinally from a first open end of said handle to a second open end of said handle;    said handle having a top and a bottom, said top defining a slot which extends generally longitudinally along said top;    said handle having, near said top and at said first end, first and second projections which extend generally longitudinally beyond said bottom of said handle, said first and second projections forming therebetween a first lead-in which is in communication with said slot.    
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said first and second projections and said first lead-in, when said device is in use, cooperate to ease the insertion of a bag handle through said slot and into said handle.  
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said handle forms, near said top and at said second end, third and fourth projections which extend generally longitudinally beyond said bottom of said handle, said third and fourth projections forming therebetween a second lead-in which is in communication with said slot, opposite said first lead-in.  
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein each of said first and second projections extends at an incline upward from said bottom of said handle, to a rounded point at the longitudinal extreme of said projection.  
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said handle defines a channel, and said slot is configured to permit entry of a bag handle into said channel.  
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said handle defines a channel with a cross section having a height and a width, said height being greater than said width.  
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said handle defines a channel with a cross section having a height and a width, said height being approximately equal to said width.  
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said handle forms rounded beads extending along the edges of said slot.  
   
   
       9 . A carry assist device, comprising: 
 a handle that extends longitudinally from a first open end of said handle to a second open end of said handle, said handle defining a longitudinal channel;    said handle having a top and a bottom, said top defining a slot which extends longitudinally along said top, said slot configured to permit entry of a bag handle into said channel;    said handle forming, near said top and at said first end, a first lead-in which is in communication with said slot, said first lead-in extending longitudinally beyond said bottom of said handle.    
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein said first lead-in, when said device is in use, eases the insertion of a bag handle through said slot and into said channel.  
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein said first lead-in is formed by first and second projections which extend generally longitudinally beyond said bottom of said handle.  
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein each of said first and second projections extends at an incline upward from said bottom of said handle, to a rounded point at the longitudinal extreme of said projection.  
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein said handle forms a second lead-in which is in communication with said slot, opposite said first lead-in.  
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said channel has a cross section having a height and a width, said height being greater than said width.  
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said channel has a cross section having a height and a width, said height being approximately equal to said width.  
   
   
       16 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said handle forms rounded beads extending along the edges of said slot.  
   
   
       17 . A carry assist device, comprising: 
 a hollow member sized to be grasped in the hand of a user, said hollow member extending longitudinally from a first open end of said hollow member to a second open end of said hollow member;    said hollow member having a top and a bottom, said top defining a slot which extends longitudinally along said top;    said hollow member forming first and second lead-ins at said first and second ends, respectively, of said hollow member, said first and second lead-ins each extending longitudinally beyond said bottom of said hollow member.    
   
   
       18 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein said first lead-in is formed by first and second projections which extend generally longitudinally beyond said bottom of said hollow member at said first end thereof.  
   
   
       19 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein said second lead-in is formed by third and fourth projections which extend generally longitudinally beyond said bottom of said hollow member at said first end thereof.