Case handle for protective cases

Abstract

A case handle assembly comprising a case handle is disclosed. In particular embodiments, the case handle is attached to a lid and extends the length of the lid. The case handle may fit into a depth defined by a mounting area on the top of the lid so that the top of the case is flush. A locking mechanism may be utilized to lock the case handle to the lid.

1 . A case handle assembly for use with a protective case, the case having a receptacle body and a lid for the body, wherein: 
 the lid is attachable to the body of the case, the lid including a mounting base, the mounting base being located at a depth from a highpoint of the lid;    the assembly including a case handle movable between a first position when the handle is located essentially wholly within the highpoint and the mounting base and an extended second position, the case handle including a hand grip and a locking mechanism to lock the handle to the lid; and    a hinge including a pivot pin to connect the handle onto the lid and allowing the handle to rotate about the hinge.    
     
     
         2 . The case handle assembly in  claim 1  wherein the hinge is located at the edge of the lid.  
     
     
         3 . The case handle assembly in  claim 2  wherein the handle is length of the lid.  
     
     
         4 . The case handle assembly in  claim 2  wherein the handle can rotate about the lid for about 270 degrees.  
     
     
         5 . The case handle assembly in  claim 1  wherein the locking mechanism comprises a latch with an L-shaped end.  
     
     
         6 . The case handle assembly in  claim 1  wherein the locking mechanism comprises a spring loaded latch.  
     
     
         7 . The case handle assembly in  claim 1  wherein the lid further comprises a catch on the top of the lid.  
     
     
         8 . The case handle assembly in  claim 7  wherein the locking mechanism cooperates with the catch to lock the case handle to the lid.  
     
     
         9 . The case handle assembly in  claim 1  wherein the lid further comprises an indention located at a corresponding location to the hand grip.  
     
     
         10 . The case handle assembly in  claim 1  wherein the case handle further comprises a planar section partially extending the length of the case handle.  
     
     
         11 . The case handle assembly in  claim 1  wherein the case handle further comprises reinforcing grooves on the sides of the case handle extending the length of the case handle.  
     
     
         12 . A case handle assembly for use with a protective case, the case having a receptacle body and a lid for the body, wherein: 
 the lid is attachable to the body of the case, the lid including a mounting base, the mounting base being located at a depth from a highpoint of the lid;    a catch located on top of the mounting base;    the assembly including a case handle movable between a first position when the handle is located essentially flush with the highpoint and an extended second position, the case handle including a hand grip and a spring-loaded locking mechanism, the locking mechanism having an L-shaped end to cooperate with the catch on top of the mounting base to lock the case handle to the mounting base; and    a pivot pin to connect the handle onto a edge of the lid and allowing the handle to rotate about the edge of the lid.    
     
     
         13 . The case handle assembly  claim 12  wherein the handle is length of the lid.  
     
     
         14 . The case handle assembly in  claim 12  wherein the handle can rotate about the lid for about 270 degrees.  
     
     
         15 . A case handle assembly for use with a protective case, the case having a receptacle body, wherein: 
 a wall of the case including a mounting base, the mounting base being located at a depth from a highpoint of the wall;    the assembly including a case handle movable between a first position and an extended second position such that in the first position the case handle doesn't essentially impair the stacking of a second case on the lid, wherein the second case has an underside configuration formed for mating with the handle and lid when the handle is in the first position, the case handle including a hand grip and a locking mechanism to lock the handle to the lid; and    a hinge including a pivot pin to connect the handle onto the wall and allowing the handle to rotate about the hinge.    
     
     
         16 . The case handle assembly  claim 15  wherein the handle is length of the wall.  
     
     
         17 . The case handle assembly in  claim 15  wherein the handle can rotate about the wall for about 270 degrees.  
     
     
         18 . The case handle assembly in  claim 15  wherein the locking mechanism comprises a latch with an L-shaped end.  
     
     
         19 . The case handle assembly in  claim 15  wherein the locking mechanism comprises a spring loaded latch.  
     
     
         20 . The case handle assembly in  claim 15  wherein the lid further comprises a catch on the wall.  
     
     
         21 . The case handle assembly in  claim 15  wherein the locking mechanism cooperates with the catch to lock the case handle to the wall.  
     
     
         22 . The case handle assembly in  claim 15  wherein the wall further comprises an indention located at a corresponding location to the hand grip.  
     
     
         23 . The case handle assembly in  claim 15  wherein the case handle further comprises a planar section partially extending the length of the case handle.  
     
     
         24 . The case handle assembly in  claim 15  wherein the case handle further comprises reinforcing grooves on the sides of the case handle extending the length of the case handle.  
     
     
         25 . The case handle assembly in  claim 15  wherein the wall is a side wall of the case.  
     
     
         26 . The case handle assembly in  claim 15  wherein the wall is a top wall of the case, the top wall being a lid attachable to the receptacle body.  
     
     
         27 . A protective case comprising: 
 a receptacle body;    a lid attachable to the body of the case, the lid including a mounting base, the mounting base being located at a depth from a highpoint of the lid;    a case handle movable between a first position when the handle is located essentially wholly within the highpoint and the mounting base and an extended second position, the case handle including a hand grip and a locking mechanism to lock the handle to the lid; and    a hinge including a pivot pin to connect the handle onto the lid and allowing the handle to rotate about the hinge.    
     
     
         28 . A stackable set of cases comprising: 
 a plurality of receptacle bodies;    a plurality of lids attachable to the body of the case, a lid including a mounting base, the mounting base being located at a depth from a highpoint of the lid, the lid including a case handle;    the case handle movable between a first position when the handle is located essentially wholly within the highpoint and the mounting base and an extended second position to allow for stacking of a second case, wherein the second case has an underside configuration formed for mating with the handle and lid when the handle is in the first position, the case handle including a hand grip and a locking mechanism to lock the handle to the lid; and    a hinge including a pivot pin to connect the handle onto the lid and allowing the handle to rotate about the hinge.