Reusable Shopping Bag Assembly

Abstract

One handle structure for use with a plurality of shopping bags having first and second apertures includes a handle member, a frame with first and second portions movable relative to one another, first and second pegs respectively extending from the frame portions for passing through the apertures, and first and second caps removably received on distal ends of the pegs to retain the bags on the pegs. The pegs include bores extending at least partially therethrough, and the bores are accessible at proximal ends of the pegs and are sufficiently vacant when the caps are received on the pegs for removably receiving prongs to support the pegs. Movement of the frame first portion relative to the frame second portion causes a distance between the first peg and the second peg to change.

1 . A handle structure for use with a plurality of shopping bags having first and second apertures therethrough, the handle structure comprising:
 a handle member;   a frame having first and second portions movable relative to one another;   a first peg extending from the frame first portion for passing through the first aperture;   a second peg extending from the frame second portion for passing through the second aperture;   a first cap removably received on a distal end of the first peg to retain the plurality of bags on the first peg; and   a second cap removably received on a distal end of the second peg to retain the plurality of bags on the second peg;   wherein the first peg includes a first bore extending at least partially therethrough, the first bore being accessible at a proximal end of the first peg and being sufficiently vacant when the first cap is received on the first peg for removably receiving a prong to support the first peg;   wherein the second peg includes a second bore extending at least partially therethrough, the second bore being accessible at a proximal end of the second peg and being sufficiently vacant when the second cap is received on the second peg for removably receiving another prong to support the second peg; and   wherein movement of the frame first portion relative to the frame second portion causes a distance between the first peg and the second peg to change.   
     
     
         2 . The handle structure of  claim 1 , wherein the frame first and second portions are configured to telescope. 
     
     
         3 . The handle structure of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the handle member has first and second telescoping portions;   the handle first portion is fixed relative to the frame first portion; and   the handle second portion is fixed relative to the frame second portion.   
     
     
         4 . The handle structure of  claim 3 , further comprising means for temporarily biasing the frame first portion at a location relative to the frame second portion. 
     
     
         5 . The handle structure of  claim 3 , further comprising means for temporarily biasing the handle first portion at a location relative to the handle second portion. 
     
     
         6 . The handle structure of  claim 2 , wherein the handle member has a fixed configuration and extends from only one of the frame first portion and the frame second portion. 
     
     
         7 . The handle structure of  claim 1 , wherein the handle member has a fixed configuration and extends from only one of the frame first portion and the frame second portion. 
     
     
         8 . The handle structure of  claim 1 , further comprising means for temporarily biasing the frame first portion at a location relative to the frame second portion 
     
     
         9 . The handle structure of  claim 1 , wherein the first bore extends entirely through the first peg and the second bore extends entirely through the second peg. 
     
     
         10 . The handle structure of  claim 2 , further comprising a first lanyard member coupled to the first cap and a second lanyard member coupled to the second cap. 
     
     
         11 . The handle structure of  claim 10 , wherein the first cap has a first plug configured to extend inside a portion of the first bore when the first cap is received on the first peg; and wherein the second cap has a second plug configured to extend inside a portion of the second bore when the second cap is received on the second peg. 
     
     
         12 . The handle structure of  claim 11 , wherein the first and second pegs have a generally oval external perimeter. 
     
     
         13 . An apparatus for carrying a plurality of shopping bags and supporting the bags on first and second rods, the apparatus comprising:
 a handle member;   a frame having first and second portions movable relative to one another;   a first peg extending from the frame first portion for supporting the bags;   a second peg extending from the frame second portion for supporting the bags;   means for selectively maintaining the bags on the first peg;   means for selectively maintaining the bags on the second peg;   wherein the first peg includes a first bore extending at least partially therethrough, the first bore being accessible at a proximal end of the first peg and being sufficiently vacant when the bags are maintained on the first peg for removably receiving the first rod;   wherein the second peg includes a second bore extending at least partially therethrough, the second bore being accessible at a proximal end of the second peg and being sufficiently vacant when bags are maintained on the second peg for removably receiving the second rod; and   wherein movement of the frame first portion relative to the frame second portion causes a distance between the first peg and the second peg to change.   
     
     
         14 . The handle structure of  claim 13 , wherein the frame first and second portions are configured to telescope. 
     
     
         15 . The handle structure of  claim 14 , wherein:
 the handle member has first and second telescoping portions;   the handle first portion is fixed relative to the frame first portion; and   the handle second portion is fixed relative to the frame second portion.   
     
     
         16 . The handle structure of  claim 14 , wherein the handle member has a fixed configuration and extends from only one of the frame first portion and the frame second portion. 
     
     
         17 . The handle structure of  claim 13 , wherein the handle member has a fixed configuration and extends from only one of the frame first portion and the frame second portion. 
     
     
         18 . The handle structure of  claim 13 , further comprising means for temporarily biasing the frame first portion at a location relative to the frame second portion 
     
     
         19 . A reusable shopping bag assembly for use with first and second rods supporting a plurality of disposable shopping bags, the assembly comprising:
 a plurality of reusable shopping bags each having first and second apertures therethrough;   a handle member;   a frame having first and second portions movable relative to one another;   a first peg extending from the frame first portion for passing through the first apertures;   a second peg extending from the frame second portion for passing through the second apertures;   a first cap removably received on a distal end of the first peg to retain the plurality of bags on the first peg; and   a second cap removably received on a distal end of the second peg to retain the plurality of bags on the second peg;   wherein the first peg includes a first bore extending at least partially therethrough, the first bore being accessible at a proximal end of the first peg and being sufficiently vacant when the first cap is received on the first peg for removably receiving the first rod;   wherein the second peg includes a second bore extending at least partially therethrough, the second bore being accessible at a proximal end of the second peg and being sufficiently vacant when the second cap is received on the second peg for removably receiving the second rod; and   wherein movement of the frame first portion relative to the frame second portion causes a distance between the first peg and the second peg to change.