Carrier Removably Attachable To An Object For More Easily And Ergonomically Carrying The Object

Abstract

A carrier is provided which is removably attachable to at least a portion of a handle of an object for more easily and ergonomically carrying the object. The carrier includes a first housing and a second housing. The first housing is rotatable with respect to the base of the first housing about a first axis. The second housing is attached to the base of the first housing and is pivotable relative to first housing about a second axis extending generally perpendicularly to the first axis between an open position in which at least a portion of the base of the first housing is at least partially separated from the second housing and a closed position forming a grip having a longitudinal axis spaced apart from the second axis and defining with the second axis a plane perpendicular to the first axis. The grip is configured to releasably receive and retain a portion of the handle of the object.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A carrier removably attachable to at least a portion of a handle of an object for more easily and ergonomically carrying the object, the carrier comprising:
 the first housing being rotatable with respect to the base of the first housing about a first axis; and   a second housing attached to the base of the first housing and pivotable relative to first housing about a second axis extending generally perpendicularly to the first axis between an open position in which at least a portion of the base of the first housing is at least partially separated from the second housing and a closed position forming a grip having a longitudinal axis spaced apart from the second axis and defining with the second axis a plane perpendicular to the first axis,   wherein the grip is configured to releasably receive and retain a portion of the handle of the object.   
     
     
         2 . The carrier according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 resilient material within at least a portion of the grip to accommodate a variety of differently sized handles of various objects.   
     
     
         3 . The carrier according to  claim 1 , wherein the handle of the first housing defines an opening configured to receive at least a portion of a user's hand therein. 
     
     
         4 . The carrier according to  claim 1 , wherein the handle of the first housing is rotatable with respect to the base of the first housing over a span of up to 360°. 
     
     
         5 . The carrier according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a latch pivotally attached to the base of the first housing, at least a portion of the latch being positioned within the handle of the first housing, the latch engaging at least a portion of an interior of the handle of the first housing to prevent the handle of the first housing from rotating with respect to the base of the first housing in a first rotational direction and to permit the handle of the first housing to rotate with respect to the base of the first housing in a second rotational direction.   
     
     
         6 . The carrier according to  claim 1 , wherein a hinge pivotally attaches the second housing to the base of the first housing, and wherein a fastener positioned on one of the base of the first housing and the second housing generally opposite the hinge permits the base of the first housing to be locked to the second housing in the closed configuration. 
     
     
         7 . A combination comprising:
 an object including a handle; and   a carrier removably attachable to at least a portion of the handle of the object, the carrier comprising:   the first housing being rotatable with respect to the base of the first housing about a first axis; and   a second housing attached to the base of the first housing and pivotable relative to first housing about a second axis extending generally perpendicularly to the first axis between an open position in which at least a portion of the base of the first housing is at least partially separated from the second housing and a closed position forming a grip having a longitudinal axis spaced apart from the second axis and defining with the second axis a plane perpendicular to the first axis,   wherein the grip is configured to releasably receive and retain a portion of the handle of the object.   
     
     
         8 . The combination according to  claim 7 , further comprising:
 resilient material within at least a portion of the grip to accommodate different sized handles of various objects.   
     
     
         9 . The combination according to  claim 7 , wherein the handle of the first housing defines an opening configured to receive at least a portion of a user's hand therein. 
     
     
         10 . The combination according to  claim 7 , wherein the handle of the first housing is rotatable with respect to the base of the first housing over a span of up to 360°. 
     
     
         11 . The combination according to  claim 7 , further comprising:
 a latch pivotally attached to the base of the first housing, at least a portion of the latch being positioned within the handle of the first housing, the latch engaging at least a portion of an interior of the handle of the first housing to permit the handle of the first housing to rotate with respect to the base of the first housing in a first rotational direction and prevent the handle of the first housing from rotating with respect to the base of the first housing in a second rotational direction.   
     
     
         12 . The combination according to  claim 7 , wherein a hinge pivotally attaches the second housing to the base of the first housing, and wherein a fastener positioned on one of the base of the first housing and the second housing generally opposite the hinge permits the base of the first housing to be locked to the second housing in the closed configuration. 
     
     
         13 . The combination according to  claim 7 , wherein the handle of the object is at least partially arcuate, is pivotable and defines a passageway with a remainder of the object.