Handles for attachment to wired products

Abstract

Various aspects of the invention provide handles that may be attached to wire-like members. In one exemplary embodiment, a handle body has a first end portion and a second end portion. A first slot longitudinally extends along the first end portion. A second slot longitudinally extends along the second end portion on a side portion of the handle body generally opposite that of the first slot. A third slot extends between the first and second end portions. The third slot generally transversely intersects the first and second slots. Collectively, the first, second, and third slots define a longitudinal opening configured to receive a portion of a wire-like member therein. The slots may thus allow the handle body to be attached to a wire-like member by positioning a portion of the wire-like member within the third slot and then rotating the handle body relative to the wire-like member to position the portion of the wire-like member within the longitudinal opening collectively defined by the slots.

1 . A handle body having a first end portion, a second end portion, a first slot longitudinally extending along the first end portion, a second slot longitudinally extending along the second end portion on a side portion of the handle body generally opposite that of the first slot, and a third slot extending between the first and second end portions that generally transversely intersects the first and second slots, the first, second and third slots collectively defining a longitudinal opening configured to receive a portion of a wire-like member therein, whereby the slots allow the handle body to be attached to a wire-like member by positioning a portion of the wire-like member within the third slot and then rotating the handle body relative to the wire-like member to position the portion of the wire-like member within the longitudinal opening collectively defined by the slots.  
   
   
       2 . The handle body of  claim 1 , wherein the slots are configured such that rotating the handle body relative to the portion of the wire-like member within the third slot about ninety degrees in a direction generally transverse to the longitudinal opening positions the portion of the wire-like member within the longitudinal opening collectively defined by the first, second, and third slots.  
   
   
       3 . The handle body of  claim 1 , wherein the third slot is substantially centrally located between the first and second end portions of the handle body.  
   
   
       4 . A wire basket including a plurality of wires, and at least one handle of  claim 1  attached to at least a portion of at least one of the wires.  
   
   
       5 . The handle body of  claim 1 , wherein the longitudinal opening is configured to frictionally engage diametrically opposing sides of a wire-like member received within the opening.  
   
   
       6 . The handle body of  claim 5 , wherein each slot includes spaced-apart sidewalls that are configured to frictionally engage diametrically opposing sides of at least a portion of a wire-like member received between the sidewalls.